SARAJEVO, JUNE 20 (ONASA) – Emphasizing that the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace continues to be the foundation for a stable, secure, and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the Administrative Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) reminds all parties of their obligation to fully respect the General Framework Agreement for Peace, all its annexes, and the decisions of the High Representative.
The Administrative Board reaffirms its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity and fundamental structure of BiH as a unified and sovereign state consisting of two entities.
The Board reiterates that entities do not have the right to secede from BiH and legally exist solely based on the Constitution of BiH.
The Administrative Board reminds authorities in BiH that the Constitution of BiH is an integral part of the General Framework Agreement for Peace and that decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH are final and binding and must be implemented.
Once again, the Administrative Board confirms its full support for the High Representative in ensuring full compliance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH and the implementation of his mandate in accordance with Annex 10 and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, which remains unchanged.
The Board underscores that the international community continues to maintain the necessary instruments to ensure the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace.
The PIC Administrative Board emphasizes the need for full implementation of the 5+2 agenda, which remains a condition for the closure of the Office of the High Representative.
Political directors of the PIC Administrative Board met on June 19th and 20th, 2024, in Sarajevo to assess the situation concerning the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) in BiH.
The two-day session focused on key opportunities and challenges facing BiH.
The PIC Administrative Board welcomes the decision of the European Council on March 21, 2024, to open accession negotiations with BiH, marking a historic moment for this country and all its citizens.
The PIC Administrative Board calls on all institutions and political actors in BiH to seize this opportunity and work together to take all necessary steps to strengthen democracy, uphold the rule of law, guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms, and combat widespread corruption.
The PIC Administrative Board expects the authorities in BiH to adopt the state budget for 2024 without further delay, which must adequately support the ability of all state institutions to function properly and fulfill their constitutional and legal obligations, including those arising from the Euro-Atlantic integration process.
The Board emphasizes that free and transparent elections are essential for functional democracy and calls on all stakeholders in BiH to ensure the smooth conduct of local elections on October 6, 2024.
The Board urges citizens of BiH to exercise their constitutional and democratic right to vote in elections, which should be conducted with increased transparency and integrity.
The Board welcomed the presentation by Dr. Irena Hadžiabdić, President of the Central Election Commission of BiH, on preparations for local elections, and commended the activities and reiterated its strong support for the Central Election Commission of BiH.
Representatives of the EU, OSCE, and the United States briefed the PIC Administrative Board on pilot projects aimed at enhancing the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process.
The Board discussed the overall political environment in BiH, with Deputy President RS Ćamil Duraković addressing the latest developments in the RS entity, including the current situation in Srebrenica.
The PIC Administrative Board strongly condemns the blatant attacks by the ruling coalition in the Republika Srpska (RS) on the General Framework Agreement for Peace, the constitutional and legal order of BiH, and its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Sovereignty belongs to Bosnia and Herzegovina as a unified state, whose territorial integrity is guaranteed by the General Framework Agreement for Peace.
Entities within Bosnia and Herzegovina are not states; they exist solely based on the Constitution of BiH and have no independent sovereignty.
Therefore, the PIC Administrative Board calls on the ruling coalition in RS to halt all activities undermining the state, its authorities, and its multi-ethnic character.
The Board reiterates that the international community retains the necessary instruments to ensure compliance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace.
The PIC Administrative Board also clarified that Republika Srpska is not a signatory to the General Framework Agreement for Peace.
The parties to the Agreement committed to fully respecting the sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to fully respecting and promoting the fulfillment of obligations under the annexes to the General Framework Agreement for Peace, including its Constitution.
The Board noted the withdrawal from the procedure in the RS National Assembly of the Draft Law on the special register and public operation of non-profit organizations and expressed regret for the negative effects and damage caused by this draft law on the space for civil action, freedom of association, and freedom of expression.
The PIC Administrative Board further calls on the RS authorities to withdraw the decision on the criminalization of defamation and to halt all activities that jeopardize political pluralism, freedom of the media, freedom of speech, and civil society space, and stigmatize minorities.
Such actions have no place in a democratic society and contradict the repeated commitment of the RS leadership to progress the entire country towards European integration.
The PIC Administrative Board calls on the authorities in the Federation of BiH to swiftly make remaining appointments to the Constitutional Court of the Federation of BiH and regulatory bodies and to adopt and implement laws that ensure greater transparency and integrity of public functions, combat corruption, and support economic growth.
These steps are necessary for further enhancing the functionality of entities.
The Board strongly condemns undue pressure on the judiciary, particularly on the Constitutional Court of BiH.
The Board reminds RS institutions that decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH are final and binding, and entities are obliged to fully comply with the Constitution and decisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina institutions.
The Board welcomes the appointment of one judge to the Constitutional Court of BiH by the House of Representatives of the Federation of BiH and calls on the RS National Assembly to swiftly appoint two judges to establish a full complement of the Constitutional Court of BiH to ensure its effective functioning.
Attacks on the High Representative and undermining his activities seriously affect the implementation of the civilian aspects of the General Framework Agreement for Peace.
The PIC Administrative Board calls for an immediate abandonment of RS policies of non-recognition and non-cooperation with the High Representative.
The Board warns that compliance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH is an obligation and expects RS authorities to cooperate constructively with the High Representative.
The PIC Administrative Board encourages domestic authorities to engage constructively in finding an acceptable and sustainable solution to the issue of state property, which is a key element of the 5+2 Program.
Failure to resolve this issue seriously affects investment and economic growth in the country.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on International Day of Commemoration and Memory of the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide on May 23rd.
The PIC Administrative Board calls on all public officials in BiH to end the practice of genocide denial and to work together to build trust and understanding in the interest of stability, peace, and prosperity in BiH.
The PIC Administrative Board calls on all parties to promote an environment conducive to reconciliation, which can only be built on truth, peace, and justice.
All political leaders in BiH have a responsibility to lead this process based on dialogue and mutual respect.
This requires acceptance and acknowledgment of facts, educating future generations on the truth, paying tribute and remembering all victims regardless of their nationality, locating, finding, and identifying the missing, and investigating and prosecuting suspects who remain at large.
Dialogue and trust are prerequisites for the stability and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as for sustainable economic development.
The PIC Administrative Board commends the efforts of Mr. Jonathan Moore, Deputy High Representative (DHR) and Supervisor for the Brčko District, in working with members of the Administrative Board on the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, the implementation of the 5+2 Program, and the creation of dynamic reforms in the Brčko District.
The PIC Administrative Board welcomes Mr. Louis Crishock, who will assume the role of Deputy High Representative and Supervisor for the Brčko District.
The PIC Administrative Board will hold its next regular meeting on December 3rd and 4th, 2024. (end)