Smajić: Bosnia and Herzegovina must not be subject to political agreements from which its institutions and legitimate representatives are excluded

(Patria) - The information that has emerged in recent days regarding the selection of a new High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina raises serious questions about the transparency of the process and the role of domestic political actors in events that can have a significant impact on the future of our country, believes Džemal Smajić (SBiH), a delegate in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- We are witnessing that the future High Representative, the limitation of his powers, and the relocation of the OHR from Sarajevo are most often discussed by Milorad Dodik and Dragan Čović, leaving the impression that they have information from a process from which representatives of pro-Bosnian politics are excluded.

On the other hand, Denis Bećirović, Elmedin Konaković, and Zlatko Lagumdžija, who have for years presented themselves as key international interlocutors and protectors of the state interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina, apparently have no knowledge of the talks taking place behind closed doors.

Not only are they not included in the process, but they do not even appear to be the audience in events that directly concern Bosnia and Herzegovina and its future - said Smajić.

According to his words, such a situation represents a serious political defeat for the current government, which promised citizens stronger international ties, greater prestige for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a better position in relations with international partners.

- Today we are witnessing the fact that Dodik and Čović speak about important issues, while the representatives of the Troika and their partners do not even have basic information.

If it is true that the future of the OHR and the possible limitation of its powers are being discussed behind closed doors, then the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have the right to know why those who have taken responsibility for conducting foreign policy and international representation of the state have not been informed about this - says Smajić.

He states that Bosnia and Herzegovina must not be subject to political agreements from which the state institutions and its legitimate representatives are excluded.

- The process of selecting a new High Representative must be transparent, and the public must be informed of all relevant information concerning the preservation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, the constitutional order, and the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina - added Smajić.