The UK welcomes the renewal of the mandate of EUFOR Althea today, and I join others in thanking France for its efforts as penholder on the text. EUFOR’s presence continues to play a vital role in safeguarding peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I also express my thanks to High Representative Christian Schmidt for his latest report and I welcome his excellency Mr Denis Bećirović in our meeting today.
I would like to use my remarks today to make three points:
First, the UK fully supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aspirations to make progress towards greater European integration.
Pursuing a reform path will help to achieve this goal and will boost stability and prosperity. We encourage continued progress on key steps that will unlock long-term benefits for all of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s citizens.
Second, Bosnia and Herzegovina must avoid actions which undermine this progress. We remain deeply concerned by secessionist rhetoric and actions from the Republika Srpska Entity, designed to undermine the unity and function of the state.
One such example is the proposed agreement on peaceful disassociation. We are also concerned by elements of the All-Serb Declaration which we assess do not align with the Dayton Peace Agreement.
And we regret the reported rise in genocide denial and glorification of war criminals. This has no place in a modern, inclusive and multi-ethnic society.
Third, this mixed picture reinforces the ongoing vital role of the High Representative, who is tasked with upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement.
The international community must enable an environment in which Bosnia and Herzegovina can make progress on reforms and advance its European ambitions. As such, we must continue to promote domestic responsibility and accountability.
We particularly welcomed the High Representative’s recent changes to the Election Law, which contributed to the more positive atmosphere in which the recent local elections were held.
In closing, it is important to emphasise that Bosnia and Herzegovina is and must remain a single, sovereign and multi-ethnic country.
The UK encourages all politicians to put aside their differences and show the political courage to work together towards a more stable and prosperous future for all citizens.
