01/30/2008 OHR / EUSR

Existence of Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot be questioned

At yesterday’s press conference RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said his party will seek the right to self-determination, including the option of secession for the Republika Srpska during upcoming talks on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional order. “There could also be dissolution,” he added.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák today warned all BiH politicians to make every effort to build trust and confidence between citizens and not generate suspicion and uncertainty. “Lack of understanding can inflame fear in the population which still has very painful memories of the recent war,” he said.

“Republika Srpska does not have the right to secede from BiH, at the same time no one can unilaterally abolish Republika Srpska,” the High Representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák said today. “BiH is an internationally recognised state, its territorial integrity is guaranteed by the Dayton Peace Agreement and its existence cannot be questioned.”

The International Community believes a consensual process of constitutional reform is necessary as a means of making the country more efficient and more effective for all citizens, and in order for the country to conform with EU accession requirements more easily.