BiH MFA condemns statement by MFA of Serbia and attack on Ambassador Lagumdžija: You are interfering in BiH's internal affairs

(Patria) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly condemns the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia commenting on the work of the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations and the BiH Ambassador, Dr. Zlatko Lagumdžija.

"Such statements represent open and unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, which is contrary to the fundamental principles of international law and good neighborly relations.

We particularly reject legally unfounded and politically motivated terms such as 'collective institution of BiH' and 'joint institution of BiH'. The Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina clearly defines state institutions as institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and no other term has constitutional legitimacy. The use of such terms represents a conscious attempt to diminish and derogate state institutions in a legal and political sense.

We also remind that Ms. Željka Cvijanović, whose statement the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia refers to, is not the only member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Presidency currently consists of three equal members – the Chairman of the Presidency, Mr. Željko Komšić, member of the Presidency, Dr. Denis Bećirović, and member of the Presidency, Ms. Željka Cvijanović. Any disregard for this fact represents a direct denial of the constitutional structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We remind that, in cases where the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot reach a consensus on foreign policy issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH takes responsibility, in accordance with the Constitution and its authorities.

Furthermore, according to publicly available information, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović and former President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik issued instructions to ambassadors, consuls general, and diplomats coming from Republika Srpska – including those in multilateral missions – to lobby exclusively in the interest of the political views they represent, neglecting the competencies defined by the Constitution and the official positions of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such conduct represents a gross violation of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the basic rules of international diplomacy, and the question arises as to why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia did not react to these activities?

We understand that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia has not yet accepted the historical victory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its Permanent Mission to the UN, and Ambassador Lagumdžija, achieved on May 23, 2024, in the General Assembly of the United Nations with the adoption of Resolution A/RES/78/282 – International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide 1995. This resolution represents the result of years of efforts to internationally affirm truth, justice, and remembrance of the victims of genocide.

However, not even an emotional reaction to this success can be an excuse for violating diplomatic norms and interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.

Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to the principles of good neighborly relations and mutual respect. At the same time, we expect the Republic of Serbia to finally align its public appearances and diplomatic actions with international law, fundamental principles of sovereignty, and non-interference in the internal affairs of neighboring countries.

Only such an approach can be the basis for relations that contribute to peace, stability, and cooperation in the entire region", stated Konaković.