Statement by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Linde and Secretary General Schmid on latest political developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina

STOCKHOLM/VIENNA, 12 December 2021 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid made the following statement regarding the decision taken on Friday in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) by the Republika Srpska National Assembly (RSNA) to take further steps in the direction of unilateral withdrawal from transfer agreements from the entities to the State. 

“The adoption of a set of conclusions by the RSNA calling for unilateral withdrawal of competencies from State to entity level is escalating tension and going against the achievements of the last 26 years. We call on political leaders in Republika Srpska to refrain from negative and divisive political actions,” said Chairperson-in-Office Linde. “Challenging the Dayton Peace Agreement and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional order risks jeopardizing peace and stability in the country and in the region.”

OSCE Secretary General Schmid said: “The ongoing crisis impacts the economy, discourages investment and slows down key reforms. Unfortunately, the burden of this crisis will once again fall on citizens that are already facing increased unemployment, corruption, and shortcomings in healthcare”.

Linde and Schmid urged all parties to restore State-level institutions to full functionality and engage in constructive political dialogue to reach consensus for the benefit of all citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina.