Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot afford continued stalemate, Security Council told

The current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is marked by a political stalemate and stagnation on key reforms, and requires the continued attention of the international community, the Security Council was told today.

Valentin Inzko, the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, told the Council in his latest briefing that, 15 years after the signing of the Dayton peace agreement that ended the hostilities in the country, there is still “insufficient” dialogue and compromise.

“Sadly, national agendas inside the country have continued to prevail over cooperation and compromise,” he stated.

“While there was substantial progress in the first 11 years after the war, in the last four years, there has been stagnation and time has been largely wasted. The fundamentals of the country and its institutions, including the constitutional framework, have been challenged on a regular basis.”

He said there has been a fundamental change in the rhetoric and verbal attacks against the State. “Leading politicians from Republika Srpska have frequently referred to the future independence of their entity, while claiming that Bosnia and Herzegovina is an ‘impossible country’ and therefore not sustainable.”

In addition, the state-level institutions have not worked to their full potential during the past four years, due mainly, said Mr. Inzko, to “political obstruction and bickering.” There has also been a “marked” increase in unilateral actions – with Entities adopting and implementing legislation with little regard for the State and/or the other Entity. [The country is comprised of two Entities – the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.]

“It is clear that Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot afford four more years of stagnation and internal disagreements,” he stated. “There is now a real need for the political leaders to recreate momentum for change and reform.”

He underlined that for the country to become fully sustainable and move forward towards Euro-Atlantic integration, it will need political leaders that are ready to change the way they conduct politics.

“Zero sum politics will need to be replaced by politics based on compromise and a readiness to meet each other half way.”