Statement by PIC Ambassador: Entities Exist Only Based on the BiH Constitution, No Secession

(Patria) - In light of recent events in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) once again expresses its unreserved support for the work of the Constitutional Court of BiH and all its judges. The Court's decisions are final and binding, and the competent authorities are obliged to implement them. The Constitutional Court of BiH represents the foundation on which the constitutional framework of BiH is built and is a fundamental pillar of the rule of law and democracy in BiH.

The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council remains committed to fully functional institutions at all levels of government in BiH, capable of responding to the needs of the country's citizens and respecting its international obligations. Blockades of state institutions, as well as ultimatums directed at state-level officials, are unacceptable.

The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council emphasizes that the official term "inter-entity demarcation line" in no way represents a state border, nor does it imply statehood for Republika Srpska, an entity created by the Dayton Peace Agreement within the state of BiH. The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council reaffirms its commitment to respecting the Dayton Peace Agreement and the territorial integrity and fundamental structure of BiH as a single, sovereign state consisting of two entities.

Entities do not have the right to secede from BiH and legally exist only based on the BiH Constitution. All parties are obliged to fully adhere to the General Framework Agreement for Peace, as well as all its annexes and the decisions of the High Representative.

The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council appeals to all political actors to focus on BiH's progress in implementing key reforms in the areas of democracy and state functionality, the rule of law, fundamental rights, and public administration reform, on its path to joining the European Union. Political goals should be achieved through engagement in dialogue based on common interests. The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council remains committed to the well-being of all citizens of BiH, who deserve to live in a stable, secure, and prosperous country.

The Russian Federation did not join this statement.