EU SENDS SHARP WARNING TO LEADERS IN BIH: “No secession, redrawing of borders or abolition of entities!”

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) said today that unilateral calls for changes to the constitutional framework, whether through secession, redrawing borders, integration with neighboring states or the abolition of entities, are not in accordance with the provisions of the Dayton Peace Agreement or with BiH’s European path.

The delegation warned that such initiatives have no legal basis and undermine stability and security in the country and the wider region.

“We firmly stand by the sovereignty, unity, constitutional order and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the EU Delegation to BiH said on the social network X.

It emphasized that political leaders “must refrain from rhetoric that causes divisions and provocations, and respect the Constitution of BiH.”

“Public discourse, especially during election campaigns, should focus on citizens’ expectations regarding the improvement of socioeconomic and environmental conditions, as well as reforms in the areas of the rule of law and democracy, which are necessary for progress toward EU membership,” the delegation added.

The Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the Mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in BiH issued a similar message yesterday.

The pre-election campaign for the general elections scheduled for October 4 is currently underway in BiH, and politicians from both entities have intensified their radical rhetoric, particularly following the funeral of wartime commander of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) and Hague convict Ratko Mladić, further raising interethnic tensions and polarizing society in the country.