Bosnia Foreign Minister announces withdrawal of staff from Belgrade over Mladic funeral and official honors

Speaking at a press conference, Konakovic stated that the Foreign Ministry will recall all embassy personnel in Belgrade whose withdrawal does not require presidential approval, though the ambassador and consul remain because their recall falls under the authority of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Routine consular operations will be redirected to diplomatic missions in Croatia and Montenegro.

The decision follows Belgrade's state and military honors for Mladic, alongside widespread public glorification and a provocative message displayed during an FC Crvena Zvezda Belgrade match featuring the words "Heading Potocari." Konakovic stated that if he had the authority, he would sever diplomatic relations with Serbia immediately.

Lacking unilateral power to do so, he intends to minimize state-level communication, reduce diplomatic engagement to the absolute minimum, and intensify outreach to international partners.

The Ministry has prepared diplomatic notes directed at the European Union and member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Konakovic questioned whether the European Union intends to enforce its core values and security standards, warning that Brussels must demonstrate whether it will tolerate conduct unacceptable within member states.

Furthermore, Sarajevo plans to engage OIC nations to counter what Konakovic described as years of passive representation regarding established judicial facts concerning wartime atrocities.