Ambassador Reilly: We remain fully committed to supporting lasting peace here in BiH

(Patria) - The United Kingdom (UK) opposes any actions that undermine the stability and security of BiH, said the UK Ambassador to BiH Julian Reilly tonight as a guest on Federal Television's Dnevnik D Federal Television.

Ambassador Reilly condemned the move by the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, namely the signing of the decree on the promulgation of the law prohibiting the functioning of state judicial and police institutions.

- As the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council ambassadors have already stated in two of their statements since the beginning of this process - these kinds of actions are clearly unconstitutional.

It is also very important to say at the outset that there are state institutions within the Dayton Peace Agreement that clearly state what the constitutional order of this country is, and it is crucial that everyone adheres to the law - said Reilly.

He emphasizes that state institutions are there to protect the state - "absolutely, first and foremost, we expect the independence of the judiciary to be respected, but also that state institutions perform their functions at every level".

- The international community is very clear regarding our strong support for all state institutions and for them to be allowed to do their job in order to protect the integrity, unity, and sovereignty of BiH as a single state composed of two entities.

None of that is in question. Republika Srpska exists as an entity, as does the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by the nature of the existence of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

No one from the international community, nor at the local level, is saying that any entity is under threat, so this is simply about keeping BiH united as a state - state institutions have all the authority they need to do their job.

And it is very clear that members of state organizations must adhere to the highest laws of this country. The constitution is very clear that the hierarchy of laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina is such that state laws come first, followed by entity laws.

So all entity laws must be in accordance with state law, and I think that is a fundamental point, and it is indeed crucial that all state employees in all institutions understand that construct which cannot be changed simply because someone says it should be different - Reilly points out.

Speaking about the security situation in the country, he said that 'we recognize that people are concerned and that the political situation is tense, but what we are talking about now is a political crisis'.

- Of course, we and our international partners are monitoring the situation very closely, and we are also engaging and talking with politicians, with community leaders, and with people on the ground.

The statements made by EUFOR as well as by the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo are very clear on the fact that we have a stable and peaceful situation so far, but it should also be added that a stable and secure Bosnia and Herzegovina is entirely in the national interest of the United Kingdom.

A calm and measured response that allows state institutions to be the response is the key to resolving this political crisis through political structures and state institutions established to protect the interests of citizens and the state - adds the ambassador.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is also the subject of closed consultations of the UN Security Council tonight. For the ambassador, the question was - what to expect from that session initiated at the request of the Russian Federation?

- What I can say is that the United Kingdom will speak about the importance of a united international response that protects sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is indeed important that everyone understands that the institutions that have been established, both international and those in BiH, are very clear about whose obligations are whose - Reilly replied.

He pointed out that 'we have a political crisis in the country after Dodik's response to the verdict, and now international and domestic actors must respond to it together and unitedly'.

He also assessed that it is a great pity that political blockades by certain parties have prevented the faster adoption of necessary reform laws that would advance the European path.

- We welcome that certain decisions have been made recently, I hope there will be more, but it should also be noted that the laws that have just been signed in Republika Srpska contradict those laws and it is clear that they are unconstitutional, so we have not left that behind us yet in terms of achieving the necessary progress.

As far as the United Kingdom is concerned, we would strongly welcome the most effective coalition in whatever combination, however it looks, to pass the necessary laws because what we care about is the security, stability, and prosperity of this country and a state that works for the citizens of BiH, regardless of where they are in this country.

This will attract better investments, create jobs, and achieve faster progress on the European path, and currently, that is not happening, so any internal political actions that will help achieve this should be welcomed - stated Ambassador Reilly.

He also analyzed the current world situation after Donald Trump's election as the new US president.

- As my Prime Minister said - the US remains a key ally. We also cooperate closely with our partners in the EU. It is clear that Europe is facing a time of challenges, the most challenges in the last few decades.

Russia's aggression against Ukraine has increased tensions for everyone, including people in this region, and that is why we cooperate very closely with all our allies to simply move forward - to define a geopolitical situation that would ensure security for all of Europe, including this region.

It is very important to say that all members of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council have supported and strongly spoken about the recent events here in Bosnia and Herzegovina - and we are united and have a very clear stance on the need to preserve Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I absolutely want to assure your viewers that the United Kingdom, together with our international partners, remains 100% committed to a stable and secure Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is in the UK's strategic interest, given how strongly we have invested for many years in this country - we remain fully committed to supporting lasting peace here in BiH - Reilly added.