High Representative Christian Schmidt submitted his regular report to the United Nations Secretary-General, noting developments relevant to the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period from 16 April through 15 October 2023.
As the final authority in theatre, the High Representative warned of unprecedented attacks against the Peace Agreement and the constitutional and legal order of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including against the High Representative and the BiH Constitutional Court as their guardians. He underscored that the responsibility for the attacks rests with the authorities of the Republika Srpska (RS) headed by RS President Milorad Dodik, who is subject to international sanctions for threatening the Peace Agreement.
The High Representative resolutely dismissed the RS misinterpretations of the Dayton Agreement serving secessionist purposes, including claims that negate the continuity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and misrepresent its nature.
“The State of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a union of states or a confederation. There is only one state on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that is Bosnia and Herzegovina itself”, underscored the High Representative.
The High Representative underscored that tools remain available to the international community to counter threats to the Peace Agreement. These tools must be maintained and strengthened.
The report also notes the steps taken to advance the institutional functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina and progress towards EU integration as positive developments. The High Representative made Security Council Members aware that violent attacks against returnees increased in the reporting period and that corruption remains widespread. Many challenges remain related to the adaptation to European and international standards including in the fields of democracy, rule of law, economy, and social policy.
The High Representative will deliver his next regular report to the UN Security Council in May 2024.
The full text of the High Representative’s report is available here.