Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željko Komšić, participated in the semi-annual debate of the UN Security Council on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željko Komšić, participated in the semi-annual debate of the UN Security Council on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was held on 2nd November. In his speech at the debate, the Chairman of the Presidency first expressed his satisfaction with the extension of the mandate of the EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also added that the main focus of his speech is on the past six-month period presented in the report of the Office of the High Representative, with special emphasis on several very important facts that shape the political events in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the activities of the High Representative.
Emphasizing its unquestionable support for the existence of the Office of the High Representative, as long as through the implementation of the so-called “5+2 conditions” do not create an environment for closing the OHR, Chairman Komšić in his speech referred to, as he said, several very important elements from the High Representative’s report, which the High Representative himself did not mention or did not present in an appropriate manner. He pointed out that he appreciates every effort of the High Representative that, when there are blockages in the functioning of state institutions, he tries to solve the resulting blockages with his role as a mediator, which is also his obligation, prescribed by Annex 10 of the Dayton Peace Agreement. However, he also expressed the view that the behavior of the current High Representative is not balanced and equal towards all levels of government in BiH, nor neutral in relation to the actions of neighboring countries, which creates a sense of his political insecurity and bias. In addition, Komšić believes, such actions are not only to the detriment of the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its sovereignty, but at the same time they make it difficult and slow down any progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina within European integration.
He also recalled the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and, finally, requested the support of the international community for the establishment of, as he said, complete democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as complete rule of law and complete protection of individual human and civil rights.
During his stay in New York, the Chairman of the Presidency also met with the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. Discussing the developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the UN Secretary General congratulated the candidate status and said that he will work with the EU leaders to support the full membership of our country, but also of all the countries of the Western Balkans in the Union.
Regardless of the status, Chairman Komšić said that there is a lot of work ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will have to work on internal changes in accordance with European laws, as well as that the decision on opening negotiations with the EU is awaited, which, given the divided attitudes within member of the EU, for our country can be put on hold.
The interlocutors also discussed the Security Council debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina, welcoming the unanimous vote on extending the mandate of the EUFOR mission Althea, emphasizing the importance of its role for peace and stability, both in BiH and in the entire region.
The interlocutors unanimously condemned the violation of humanitarian law in Gaza and the terror perpetrated against innocent civilians, mostly children and women, without undermining the terrorist act of Hamas against the civilians of Israel.
The meeting was also attended by the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Dr. Zlatko Lagumdžija.
