Bećirović: Cvijanović’s address is not aligned with BiH's adopted strategic foreign policy goals

Your Excellencies,

Regarding the announced address by the Chair of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms. Cvijanović, at the UN Security Council session on May 6, 2025, which will discuss the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I wish to inform you of the following facts in my capacity as a member of the BiH Presidency:

According to the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the BiH Presidency, as the collective Head of State, is responsible for determining and conducting the country’s foreign policy. The members of the Presidency are obliged to act in accordance with adopted state laws, strategies, and other acts that define Bosnia and Herzegovina’s strategic foreign policy goals as membership in the EU and NATO. Unfortunately, the current Chair, Ms. Cvijanović, does not respect the adopted acts of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s state institutions.

Although it is customary for the Chair of the BiH Presidency to address the UN Security Council, this situation is specific because Ms. Cvijanović is an active participant in anti-Dayton and secessionist activities that threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Presidency of BiH did not adopt a decision authorizing Chair Cvijanović to address the mentioned UN Security Council session or to speak on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her address is not in line with the adopted strategic foreign policy goals of Bosnia and Herzegovina and does not represent the official state position. It constitutes an abuse of her role as Chair of the BiH Presidency.

The practice of submitting reports by the government of the BiH entity Republika Srpska to the UN Security Council has no legal basis. Only sovereign states, not their administrative-territorial units, are subjects of international law and entitled to address UN bodies. Bosnia and Herzegovina is an independent, sovereign, and indivisible state. Entities are not authorized to independently create or conduct foreign policy.

By misusing her attendance at the UN Security Council session, Chair Cvijanović also unlawfully instructed the BiH Mission to the UN to request that she be scheduled to speak at the UN General Assembly plenary session on May 5, 2025, even though the Presidency did not discuss or decide on this matter.

Your Excellencies,

At the end of February 2025, the leadership of the Republika Srpska entity launched the most severe attack yet on the constitutional and legal order of Bosnia and Herzegovina and on the Dayton Peace Agreement. During this time, a series of unconstitutional and anti-Dayton laws were adopted, threatening the peace, stability, and progress achieved over the past 30 years. Unfortunately, the attack on BiH's constitutional order is still ongoing.

The Constitutional Court of BiH has temporarily suspended these laws. Nevertheless, RS entity leaders continue to violate BiH laws and undermine its constitutional order.

The Court of BiH has issued central arrest warrants for RS entity President Milorad Dodik, Prime Minister Radovan Višković, and RS National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić, after they failed to respond to summonses from the BiH Prosecutor’s Office.

The rule of law is the foundation of any democratic society, where no one is untouchable and court decisions must be respected. The judiciary is a pillar of democracy, and its independence and integrity must remain unquestionable.

The anti-Dayton and dangerous policies of the RS entity leadership pose a serious threat to the peace and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region.

Your Excellencies,

I take this opportunity to express deep respect and gratitude to the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council for their continuous support to the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and their commitment to preserving peace, stability, and collective security.

(FENA) A. B.

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