Mogherini and Hahn: Refrain from activities that could lead to an escalation of the situation

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union (EU) Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn in a joint statement on today's decision of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina said that the issue of the Day of Republika Srpska should not and must not divert Bosnia and Herzegovina's attention from progress on its European path, Patria reports.

- The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina today did not engage in a review of the decision on the Day of Republika Srpska, and adopted a temporary measure temporarily suspending the holding of a referendum in Republika Srpska.

We encourage institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to resolve this issue and respect the rule of law through established legal processes and the existing constitutional framework, through constructive dialogue.

All sides should refrain from activities that could lead to an escalation of the situation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has begun reforms necessary to address the economic and social challenges the country faces, which are key for the country to progress on its European path. The issue of the Day of Republika Srpska should not and must not divert Bosnia and Herzegovina's attention from this extremely important work.