As a country that is aspiring to join the European Union, Bosnia and Herzegovina should refrain from any activities which are not in line with the EU’s foreign policy and that includes moving the Bosnian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a Spokesperson of the European Commission told N1 on Monday.
The Serb member of Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency, Milorad Dodik, recently proposed that the country should move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, soon after neighbouring Serbia agreed to do so.
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The other two Presidency members, however, voted against the proposal.
N1 asked the European Commission for comment regarding the failed initiative. The full response by EC Spokesperson Ana Pisonero-Hernandez follows:
“As a country aspiring to EU membership, BiH is encouraged to align its foreign policy with the EU’s common foreign and security policy.
The EU position on moving embassies to Jerusalem is clear:
– In line with UN Security Council resolution 478 of 1980, which called on all UN members to move their embassies to Tel Aviv, all EU Member State embassies as well as the EU Delegation to Israel are located in Tel Aviv.
– The EU has repeatedly reiterated its firm commitment to a negotiated and viable two-state solution built upon the internationally agreed parameters and international law.
– In its conclusions in December 2017, the European Council – at Head of State and Government level – reiterated that the EU position on Jerusalem remains unchanged.
– The EU’s long-standing position is clear: a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states and the aspirations of both parties must be fulfilled.
– The question of Jerusalem is a final status issue.
The EU has closely followed the discussion at the Presidency level on the proposal to move BiH embassy to Jerusalem and as you know, the proposal was rejected last week during the Presidency session.”
