New York, 8 May 2019
Mr. President,
All-round cooperation with neighbours belongs among the most important foreign-policy priorities of Serbia. A key function of regional stability and prosperity, the cooperation plays a pivotal role in Serbia’s relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and its efforts to bring about regional reconciliation.
The Dayton Peace Agreement that put an end to the tragic conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina is an important building block in that regard. Signed almost a quarter of a century ago, it is just as important also today as a basis of peace and security. A guarantor of the Agreement, Serbia will continue to work on its consistent implementation aimed at bringing about reconciliation and prosperity in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire region.
The region, Mr. President, has faced numerous challenges over centuries, including the sufferings in the recent past. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, therefore, is of paramount importance and my country considers it to be an overarching international standard and principle binding on all. Proceeding therefrom, as well as from the Dayton Agreement, Serbia has been firmly and continually committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a cornerstone of regional stability.
Political tensions, however, and messages that we thought belonged to the past have been evident in the region of late. It has not always been blessed with constructive approach, positive agendas and mutual respect. This is also true of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the relations among its constituent peoples and Entities. Regrettably, they have sometimes been burdened by unproductive rhetoric.
Serbia’s approach and measures, though, have been aimed at stabilizing the situation and helping calm political passions and create conditions for overcoming differences through dialogue. It is the obligation of all of us to invest our best efforts in promoting peace, progress and a better life for our citizens. After all, dialogue and agreement have been the best way to address all outstanding issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina and find acceptable and implementable solutions. This is what the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina expect from their political representatives and this is what my country whole-heartedly supports, motivated by the vision of a better future for the region and the drive to develop ever better relations and cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Western Balkans is changing, Mr. President. Reconciliation, stabilization and EU integration are the order of the day. To continue along this way, we need to strengthen regional confidence, just as the two Entities and three constituent peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the home of a large number of Serbs as well, need to do so. To help achieve these goals, Serbia continues to develop and deepen its relations with the Republic of Srpska in a transparent way and in accordance with the Dayton Agreement. Also, it actively promotes its relations with the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Last October, general elections were held in Bosnia and Herzegovina; more than 6 months later, the government institutions, including the Council of Ministers, have not been formed yet. Serbia hopes that the institutions will be formed soon and that they will take up full responsibilities to the benefit of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Once formed, the Council of Ministers will be partnered by the Government of Serbia as it has been in the past.
As a token of extensive communication and political dialogue and an important instrument of the promotion of a positive agenda of relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić visited Mostar on 9 April 2019 and attended the opening of the 22nd International Economic Fair in which many Serbian companies took part as well. In his Statement, President Vučić emphasized that it is important that Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to build common future in peace and stability irrespective of potholes in historic legacy and differences of views in that regard.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is among Serbia’s most important foreign-trade partners and mutual trade has been in the ascendant year after year. This cooperation is in line with the Central European Free Trade Agreement, Mr. President. However, Priština recently increased tariffs on goods originating from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina contrary to this Agreement’s provisions. It is my hope and belief that the international community will step up its pressure on Priština to bring these harmful practices to a speedy end.
Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as our other neighbours, are resolved to work together to link peoples, regions and economies. We have made commitments, in different formats, to carrying out needed reforms and promoting regional cooperation. In the field of joint infrastructure projects, in transportation and energy, for instance.
Partners in promoting mutual links, the two countries are part and parcel of the process of EU enlargement and integration and every step made by our neighbour in that direction is a step forward on this important road and therefore highly appreciated. A candidate country, Serbia strongly supports its neighbour’s EU membership aspirations and the relevant reforms it carries out in order to achieve this goal. It considers the submission of the reply to the additional question from the European Commission questionnaire by Bosnia and Herzegovina last March an important step forward on this country’s road to EU integration and stands ready to intensify cooperation and transmit its own experiences in this process. Serbia believes, and I hope I can say so also on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that the European Union will continue to support the process of Western Balkan EU integration which, once achieved, will bring lasting stability and prosperity to the region and help consolidate and develop entire Europe.
This happens to be the strategic goal of my country’s Government. Peace, stability, good-neighbourliness have no alternative and are lodestars on our region’s road to the European Union. They are achievable only through dialogue, mutual respect and civility.
Thank you, Mr. President.
