Konakovic: European principles and unblocking BiH’s EU path are two tests of EU credibility

Addressing the meeting, held as part of Montenegro’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process, Konakovic called on the European Union to take concrete action in response to the institutional glorification of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic in Serbia and to provide stronger support for unblocking Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path towards EU membership.

He said that protecting European principles and countering Russian influence and political obstruction were two key tests of the EU’s credibility in the region.

Konakovic also raised concerns over what he described as serious institutional pressure by Republika Srpska police on employees of the Srebrenica Memorial Centre, despite the police having no jurisdiction over the centre.

He said the events surrounding Mladic’s funeral in Serbia, including the use of a Serbian government aircraft and the participation of Serbian military personnel, could not be treated as merely another dispute between Sarajevo and Belgrade, stressing that the issue concerned fundamental principles and the treatment of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide.

Konakovic said the EU faced two major tests regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina: whether it would take concrete action following the conduct of Serbian authorities surrounding Mladić’s funeral, and whether it would respond adequately to Russian influence and efforts to block the country’s European path.

He pointed to a recent meeting in Moscow between Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minic and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that Dodik had publicly stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina had not imposed sanctions on Russia because of opposition from Republika Srpska, that there would be no agreement on introducing visas for Russian citizens and that he opposed NATO integration.

Konakovic said Bosnia and Herzegovina needed stronger EU support to unblock its European path, adding that the EU should demonstrate leadership and make clear that the country’s European future should be determined by its citizens and institutions through democratic processes and in line with EU membership criteria.

He also said that the decision by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen not to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina during her regional tour, with the Commission citing the upcoming elections as the reason, did not send a good message.