Thank you Mr. President.
Allow me, first of all to send you all our wishes for your presidency of the Security Council.
I would like to thank the High Representative, Mr. Christian Schmidt, for his presentation to the Security Council.
I would also like to salute the presence within this council of Mrs. enseljka Cvijanović, president of the presidential college of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1/ While we will celebrate this year the 30th anniversary of the Dayton-Paris peace agreements, Bosnia and Herzegovina crosses one of the most serious political and institutional crises in its history. His unity is threatened. Its territorial integrity is in accordance with attacks.
The constitutional order established in 1995 is the subject of an unprecedented and unilateral questioning by decisions adopted by the entity of Republika Srpska, leading to the pronouncement by the courts of the country of a verdict against the president of this entity on February 26. It is irresponsible for the leaders and for certain elected officials of the Republika Srpska to thus return to the achievements of peace by instrumentalizing the judicial situation of an individual, whatever his functions.
The decision of the Constitutional Court to suspend the laws promulgated in Republika Srpska on March 5 must be respected by all.
Mr. President,
France is concerned about the project of new constitution of the Recublika Srpska entity, which is more involved in public law, the unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a new questioning of peace agreements.
France considers the threats issued by the leaders of the Republika Srpska unacceptable against the officials of the state institutions to force them to resign.
Faced with this situation, France recalls its support for the unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as in constitutional order and the institutions of the State within the framework of the Dayton-Paris agreements. The European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina requires respect for the rule of law, as well as court decisions, public freedoms and an environment favorable to civil society. France invites the officials of the Republika Srpska not to commit to the path of separatism which, by compromising the European perspective of the country, would be to the detriment of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
-2/ The European Council’s decision to open up the membership negotiations of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union, a message of encouragement and confidence under conditions. It is regrettable that some Bosnian political actors have not been seized.
Mr. President,
3/ Peace is built in hearts and minds. There can be no lasting peace or common European future without a shared horizon, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Western Balkans.
This summer, it will be thirty years since the genocide of Srebrenica took place, which will remain a deep injury in the heart of Europe. I would like to have a thought for the victims of this genocide.
This commemoration must be an opportunity to facilitate common work for an authentic reconciliation of memories. This will involve respect and honoring all the civilian victims of the XXth century conflicts, regardless of their ethnicity and their religious beliefs.
But let’s be clear: there is no room for negationism, historical revisionism or the glorification of war criminals condemned by justice, in a country and in a region that have expressed their wish to join the European Union.
Mr. President,
4/ The Dayton-Paris agreements brought peace after the deadliest conflict that Europe had known since the Second World War. 30 years later, it is the responsibility of this council to preserve peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
If the security situation of the country is stable, history has taught us not to underestimate the threats that the weakening of institutions and the stigmatization speeches of an ethnic or religious group weigh as a whole. The international presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains necessary. The European operation Eufor-Althéa has played an essential role since 2004 in maintaining stability and a secure environment in the country. Regarding the civil component of the Dayton-Paris agreements, France reiterates its support for the mandate of the high representative.
As a witness to the Dayton-Paris agreements, we will continue to support the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We call all the witnesses to the agreement to do the same.
Thank you.
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