Appeal to the BiH Presidency members and Minister Konaković: Take measures to prevent the Vienna scandal from happening again

(Patria) - The Bosnian Council, an organization based in Vienna, strongly protested today against the diplomatic and political scandal caused in the Austrian capital by the BiH ambassador to that country, Siniša Bencun.

Bencun, we remind you, hosted the Minister of Economy of the Una-Sana Canton (USK) Samra Mehić, and on that occasion, alongside the state flag, he also displayed the flag of the smaller BiH entity, Republika Srpska.

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Scandal in Vienna: Ambassador Bencun displayed the flag of RS alongside the state flag

(Patria) - The Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Austria, Siniša Bencun, hosted the Minister of Economy of the Una-Sana Canton (USK), Samra Mehić, but public attention was not drawn to the meeting itself, but to a detail in the background of the photos taken on that occasion. Naim

In its statement, the Bosnian Council specifically addressed the most relevant parties - the members of the BiH Presidency and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Elmedin Konaković.

"We are aware of the information that has appeared in the media concerning the photograph of the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Austria and the Minister of Economy of USK, where, alongside the state flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina, they also displayed the flag of one of the entities.

We believe that such an act, in an official and diplomatic context, can lead to confusion in the representation of the state and undermine the principle of the unified and indivisible international subjectivity of Bosnia and Herzegovina," the Bosnian Council stated.

They emphasize that, as a state representative, the ambassador is obliged to exclusively protect and promote the interests and symbols of the entire state of Bosnia and Herzegovina through his actions.

"Therefore, on behalf of the Bosnian Council - which brings together numerous academic and civic organizations from the diaspora and Bosnia and Herzegovina - we address you with the following questions and appeal:
‣ What is the official position of the competent institutions regarding this incident?
‣ Will measures be taken to prevent such mixing of representation levels in the future, which could harm the reputation and integrity of the state?

We appeal to you to, within your constitutional and legal powers, take all necessary steps to ensure the consistent and exclusive representation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a sovereign and integral state at all international and diplomatic forums.

We look forward to your response and hope for a swift clarification of this important matter," the Bosnian Council stated in their inquiry to the members of the BiH Presidency and Minister Konaković.