Serbia's rep tells UNSC that verdict against Dodik is "politically motivated"

“Serbia has a strategic interest in preserving the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Any instability could spill over into our country, slowing down economic development and reforms. The Dayton Agreement ended the war and ensured peace and security over the past 30 years. Preserving stability requires full respect for the constitutional mechanisms that form its foundation. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a multiethnic society, and everyone remembers both the tragedies and joys stemming from that. To preserve diversity as a strength, it must be respected,” Ilic said in his address.
He stated that no one in BiH should be “constitutionally vulnerable.”

“We must respect the structure based on two entities and three peoples. No one in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be constitutionally vulnerable. In BiH’s complex environment, we cannot have external imposition of decisions. That only violates constitutionally guaranteed rights. The problem lies in the functioning of BiH, and that has not been caused by the Dayton Agreement, but rather by attempts to undermine it.”

He then spoke about the verdict against Dodik.

“Our understanding is that Republika Srpska is not advocating secession but rather respect for the Dayton Agreement. One cannot escape the impression that the verdict against Dodik, as well as the issuance of an arrest warrant, is politically motivated. Interpol’s decision not to act on the request from the Court of BiH indicates that this is politically driven, not impartial justice.”

“Serbia believes that the imposition of decisions is not in accordance with Annex 10 of the Dayton Agreement,” Ilic added.