Russian Ambassador Ivantsov: Rumours about the breakup of BiH are exaggerated

Rumours about the possible breakup of Bosnia and Herzegovina are exaggerated and aimed at stoking tensions and diverting attention from real problems, said Russian ambassador to BiH Petr Ivantsov, reports Slobodna Evropa, as carried by Patria. 

"In my opinion, rumours about the breakup of BiH are not just an exaggeration; they often circulate with the aim of deliberately creating tensions in the country in order to divert the attention of the local population and the international community from truly important issues related to social and economic development, security and radicalisation," said the Russian diplomat.

He said that these rumours are often linked to the referendum in Republika Srpska.

"Allow me to assure you: the authorities of Republika Srpska are fully committed to implementing the Dayton Agreement, do not question the principles of that agreement and actively promote them, acting exclusively in accordance with the principles of democracy and within the local legal framework," said Ivantsov.

He said that the 1995 Dayton Agreement, which ended the war in BiH, has always been criticised by some forces.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina functions on the basis of a valid international legal document that contains all the necessary fundamental principles. We, as one of the guarantors of that peace agreement, support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH, decentralisation in the decision-making system, as well as the basic rules of equality, compromise and consensus among the peoples that make up the state," said the Russian diplomat.