Bosnia Presidency member Denis Becirovic criticised Chair Zeljka Cvijanovic’s recent remarks in Brussels, asserting that they do not represent the official position of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Becirovic highlighted that under the Constitution, the Presidency is responsible for defining and conducting BiH’s foreign policy. Its members are obligated to act in line with adopted laws and strategies, which prioritise EU and NATO membership as strategic goals.

He stated that the Presidency did not approve Cvijanovic’s visit to Brussels nor her statements during meetings with EU officials. “Her positions represent only her personal opinions, which do not bind Bosnia and Herzegovina or the European Union,” Becirovic said, adding that any divergence from BiH’s strategic foreign policy goals constitutes an abuse of office.

Becirovic further criticised Cvijanovic for voicing positions of an administrative unit within BiH rather than the state itself. He emphasised that Bosnia is the sole subject of international law and that entities within the state lack the authority to independently conduct foreign policy, which is an exclusive competence of state institutions.

He also accused Cvijanovic and other officials from the Republika Srpska entity of pursuing “anti-Dayton and pro-Russian activities” that jeopardise peace and stability. Referring to Cvijanovic’s remarks challenging the authority of the High Representative and the BiH Constitutional Court, Becirovic noted these are her personal views and do not reflect the will of most BiH citizens.

In a letter addressed to European Council President António Costa and EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, Becirovic recalled that RS leaders recently awarded Russian President Vladimir Putin with the entity’s highest honour during Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. He argued this illustrates the dangers of such policies for Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond.

Cvijanovic, during her visit to Brussels, had stated that BiH’s path to the EU should be based on internal agreements without external intervention or imposed solutions. She criticised High Representative Christian Schmidt, claiming his actions contradict European democratic principles.