Costa Assures EU of "Firm Commitment" to Bosnia's Stability and Security

The President of the European Council, António Costa, today guaranteed the European Union's (EU) "firm commitment" to the stability and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, during a telephone conversation with Denis Becirovic, who represents Bosnian Muslims in the Presidency.

I assured him of the EU's firm commitment to supporting the country's stability and security. The best way forward is to progress on the EU agenda", highlighted the Portuguese politician, in a message on the social network X about a phone call where "the worrying events" in Bosnia-Herzegovina were discussed.

For António Costa, the leaders of the Balkan country "have a crucial role to play in implementing the necessary reforms and reducing tensions".

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also stressed on Tuesday, during a visit to Sarajevo, that the EU body "will not accept any threat to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina".

The Balkan country has been on the brink of crisis for several weeks, precipitated by the secessionist actions of the country's Serbian leader, Milorad Dodik.

Since the end of the war in Bosnia (1992-1995), the country has been divided into two autonomous entities, the RS and the Bosnian Croat Federation, linked by central institutions, reinforced for several years after the conflict and now questioned by Dodik.

Sentenced to one year in prison and wanted by the courts as part of a new investigation for threatening the constitutional order, the president of Republika Srpska (RS) is challenging the authority of the central justice system and the police and is refusing to respond to summons from judges.

His arrest could inflame the Serbian entity of which he is president and undermine Bosnia's fragile balance.

While Germany and Austria have imposed sanctions on Dodik, Croatia has already warned that it does not believe that sanctions at the European level are possible.

"The authorities of the Republic of Serbia are undermining the legal and institutional order and threatening the freedom of all citizens" of the country, added the Estonian diplomat, during a visit to the base of the European force Eufor-Althea.

"The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina deserve nothing less than peace, stability and prosperity", which guarantees "progress on the European path", he added.

Bosnia is a candidate for EU membership, but the political situation is preventing the adoption of laws necessary to open negotiations.

“There are no shortcuts to EU membership; the door is open for Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Kallas assured, “but it requires strong political will and collective efforts.”