High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, discussed current events and threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country in an interview with Preporod.info. He specifically addressed the secessionist rhetoric from Republika Srpska and its president, Milorad Dodik.

He delivered clear messages regarding the denial of genocide and war crimes, as well as on issues related to the Srebrenica Resolution, the “All-Serb Assembly,” state property, and numerous other topics.

“The situation is very clear: Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state is the only subject under international law. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a state not created by entities; it is a state that is the successor of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has a centuries-long history. It is a multi-ethnic state. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the answer to peace after all the terrible events we had here in the 1990s,” Schmidt said.

He added that it is the commitment of the international community, but also of every citizen of this country, to keep Bosnia and Herzegovina intact.

“I regret that there are some misinterpretations of what is called the Dayton Framework Agreement, some call it the original Dayton. However, Dayton itself says enough. When it comes to interpreting the Dayton Agreement, the final interpreter is the High Representative, that is, myself,” Schmidt clearly stated.

Adapting the Dayton Agreement

He emphasized that if there is any consideration on how some improvements could be made, these are matters that need to be discussed.

“Improvements can be made when it comes to, for example, Annex 4, which is the Constitution of the Dayton Agreement. But, the golden rule is that if there is a need to adapt certain competencies or if there is a need to introduce new bodies or agencies or, for instance, to discuss revenue distribution, these are matters that need to be discussed,” the High Representative explained.

To all those who want to contribute positively to this country and make improvements, he advised that they must keep in mind the importance of sitting down and discussing these topics together.

“Those who speak about disintegration need to be aware that there are no foundations for such a story in Dayton; there is no basis for it. The international community and the European Union, including everyone else, have an obligation to work in this direction. Sometimes it is necessary to state things very clearly, and I believe this is a time to be very clear. Those who wish for the situation in this country to continue developing peacefully in a unified Bosnia and Herzegovina, in a united Europe, can count on me,” Schmidt said.

In response to the question, “What about those who do not wish well for this country and strive for its disintegration, like Milorad Dodik?” Schmidt said that there are tools for that too.

“The international community has a lot of tools and instruments at its disposal, including those available to Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state. First and foremost, decisions made by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s institutions must be respected, particularly those made by the Constitutional Court. If that is not the case, then I have to view it as anti-Dayton behavior. He cannot expect that all these destructive ideas will simply pass with the international community. This is not just about achieving some exchanges and agreements; it is about the peaceful future of this country,” Schmidt emphasized.