Bećirović: BiH's Problem is Anti-Dayton Policy, Not High Representative

Denis Bećirović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressed the UN Security Council regarding the 69th report by High Representative Christian Schmidt on peace implementation. Bećirović emphasized that the primary challenge facing Bosnia and Herzegovina is not the Office of the High Representative (OHR), but the anti-Dayton policies pursued by the leadership of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity. He argued that these actions have repeatedly brought the country to the brink of conflict and undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement. Bećirović highlighted BiH's progress toward EU and NATO integration, noting that candidate status was granted in 2022 and accession negotiations opened in 2024, despite obstructions from RS. He reaffirmed the OHR's legal basis under Annex 10 of the Dayton Agreement, stating it is essential for protecting the peace accord. Furthermore, he warned neighboring countries, Serbia and Croatia, against interfering in BiH's internal affairs, reminding them of their obligations to respect BiH's sovereignty and territorial integrity as signatories to the peace agreement. Bećirović concluded that the international community must support institutions protecting the agreement rather than weakening them.