Konaković with Kaja Kallas: Dodik's coup attempt could ultimately end in violent conflict

(Patria) - Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Elmedin Konaković met today in Brussels with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas.

During the meeting, they discussed the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country's European path, with an emphasis on the continuation of reform processes.

Konaković reiterated on this occasion that Bosnia and Herzegovina's membership in the EU is a strategic goal and a priority of our country's foreign policy.

He highlighted the achievements made by BiH institutions on the European path since 2023, emphasizing the adoption of eight laws aligned with relevant EU legal acts and standards, the Cooperation Agreement with Eurojust, and the Agreement with Frontex.

He added that BiH continues to fully align its foreign policy with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. He also warned about the fact that BiH is currently facing a very complex political situation caused by officials and authorities of Republika Srpska.

He informed his interlocutor about the unconstitutional and destabilizing actions of the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the first-instance verdict of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina of February 26, 2025, which found Dodik guilty of the criminal offense of non-execution of decisions of the High Representative.

In this context, he also mentioned the worrying pro-Russian influence in our country, given that Dodik visited Russia three times last year, after which he publicly stated that he would not support Bosnia and Herzegovina's membership in the EU because it does not serve the national interests of Republika Srpska.

Regarding the set of unconstitutional laws recently adopted by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska and the Draft of the new Constitution of Republika Srpska, Konaković assessed that they represent a serious threat to the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to regional security.

He added that this is Dodik's attempt at a coup d'état that could ultimately end in violent conflict, which no one wants. He also emphasized that the political opposition in Republika Srpska is vocally opposing Dodik's plan and actions and is calling for the immediate repeal of unconstitutional laws and a return to reforms related to the European path.

Konaković requested an urgent reaction from the EU and called on Bosnia and Herzegovina's European partners to unite in a decisive stance against these unconstitutional actions and to sanction them. He stated that peace and stability can only be preserved by protecting the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

EU High Representative Kallas emphasized full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She assessed that Bosnia and Herzegovina has shown dedicated work in harmonizing the reform agenda and commitment to the European path over the past two years.

She added that the European Union will not allow the progress achieved to be jeopardized due to the political crisis that has called into question the functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina's institutions in recent months, and that the EU will use all its mechanisms to protect the security and constitutional order of BiH.

The interlocutors agreed that it is necessary to continue working for our country to fulfill the remaining obligations and reforms on its European path as soon as possible, gain the conditions for opening official negotiations, and hold the Intergovernmental Conference.