Last night the National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted a resolution which inter alia claims the right to organise a referendum on its legal status.
The High Representative is deeply concerned by the adoption of this resolution by the RSNA.
The High Representative stresses that Bosnia and Herzegovina is an internationally recognized state whose sovereignty and territorial integrity is guaranteed by the Dayton Peace Agreement. Entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina have no right to secede from Bosnia and Herzegovina under the Dayton Peace Agreement. The constitutional structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the existence of the entities, can only be changed in accordance with the amendment procedure prescribed in the Constitution of BiH.
He deplores the violence in Banja Luka and the damage inflicted upon diplomatic offices. The calls for calm that came from both the RSNA and the RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik are welcome. The RS Ministry of Interior reacted professionally in response to the illegal demonstration in Banja Luka yesterday. The High Representative expects that the authorities of the RS and BiH will fulfill their obligations and maintain public order.