The spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS), Peter Stano, reiterated the European Union’s “firm and clear” stance on the secessionist rhetoric of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Serb leaders, led by Milorad Dodik, who celebrated Republika Srpska Day on Tuesday 9 January.
“The European Union stresses the need to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order” of Bosnia-Herzegovina, said Mr Stano. He pointed out that in 2015 and 2019, the Bosnian Constitutional Court had ruled that the celebration of Republika Srpska Day did not comply with the country’s Constitution.
The spokesman warned against any action that would violate these principles. The perpetrators would be exposed to “serious consequences” of a “political, economic and financial” nature, with a framework for European sanctions already in place, he warned, while admitting that unanimity of EU Member States was required to impose any sanctions.
In mid-December 2023, the European Council decided to postpone their decision on the possible opening of EU accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina until March 2024 at the latest, on the basis of a report by the European Commission (see EUROPE 13314/1). (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)