Schmidt meets extraordinary with PIC ambassadors: International community will not allow conflict in BiH

(Patria) - High Representative Christian Schmidt today, during an extraordinary meeting with ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board, discussed current developments in BiH and presented them with his observations.

Commander of EUFOR, Major General Laszlo Sticz, also gave his assessment of the security situation in BiH.

The High Representative paid special attention to the repeated secession announcements coming from the leadership of Republika Srpska.

- Such announcements are sometimes dismissed as mere political rhetoric. I do not think so: we are witnessing the implementation of a political agenda that threatens the territorial integrity of BiH.

Officials of Republika Srpska should explain their criticism of the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Secession from the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is in no case an option.

European integration must not be jeopardized. But, we must also guarantee the rights of the entities, which we are already doing. Everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina has the right to live in peace and without discrimination.

These are the facts: there is no legal right to secession and entities are not states. Entities exist only because BiH exists. Whoever questions this accepts conflict, and the international community will not allow it.

We are very carefully monitoring whether and what kind of activities are being undertaken in Republika Srpska that could lead to a disruption of order in BiH. The international community guarantees the existence of the state of BiH, as well as the peace and security of all citizens of this country.

No one has the right to endanger that. I consider any attempt at destabilization a serious threat to the Dayton Peace Agreement.

The citizens of this country have made strides towards reconciliation and coexistence that seemed unimaginable thirty years ago.

Therefore, it is clear in which direction all communities in this country want to go - towards a prosperous future in the European Union. That is what political elites must achieve - Schmidt said after the meeting.