Schmidt: We are intensifying the campaign regarding the future development of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Patria) - The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC SB) in Bosnia and Herzegovina concluded a two-day session in Sarajevo, and the High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt stated after the session that it was decided that the international community retains all necessary instruments to ensure and uphold the Dayton Peace Agreement.

The political directors of the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board met on 19 and 20 June 2024 to assess the situation regarding the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The two-day session focused on key opportunities and challenges facing BiH.

"I thank the international community for its unanimous support and also for noting that my mandate continues to be implemented as it is and that the international community retains all necessary instruments to ensure and uphold the Dayton Peace Agreement," Schmidt said at a press conference in Sarajevo, adding:

"I think this once again emphasizes the stance of the international community, as we begin an intensive cooperation regarding the future development of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina."

He emphasized that one of the conclusions of the PIC session is that it is important for Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue on the path of European integration.

"We all act together to ensure Bosnia and Herzegovina moves towards European integration and the path of security. You know that municipal elections will be held in BiH on 6 October, and we are grateful that all political parties have registered for these elections and that certain transparent rules have been introduced, as requested by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe - OSCE. We now have that, and we want the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to successfully conduct the elections and to send a message that we care about having free and fair elections in this country and that we do not accept electoral fraud, and that this will have serious consequences," Schmidt said.

He pointed out that during the PIC session, they had the opportunity to hear a presentation from Ćamil Duraković, Vice President of the BiH entity Republika Srpska.

"From him, we heard not-so-good things, some bad things, because we noticed that the number of attacks on returnees is increasing throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, and this is especially the case in the RS. It also seems that the RS authorities and the RS police must do more to ensure a safe environment for all citizens living in that entity. We will monitor the situation in this area more closely," Schmidt emphasized.

He stated that the behavior of the RS authorities contrary to the Dayton Peace Agreement will not be tolerated.

"The PIC communiqué calls for abandoning the RS policy of non-recognition and non-cooperation with the High Representative. The RS authorities must respect the Dayton Agreement and must actively cooperate with the High Representative," Schmidt said.

He also reminded that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a sovereign state with a multi-ethnic character.

"We will defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as agreed in the Dayton Agreement," Schmidt stated, once again emphasizing the importance of BiH's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

"After this PIC session, we are stronger not as an international community but in our intention to work towards the European future and transatlantic integration of BiH and integration into the European Union."

The PIC Steering Board will hold its next regular meeting on 3 and 4 December 2024.