The Republika Srpska National Assembly is discussing the adoption of legislative initiatives that would undermine the constitutional order of the country, the functionality of its institutions and fundamental freedoms, and go against Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitments on its EU path.

We expect the entity’s leadership to cease these legislative initiatives, including notably the Republika Srpska draft laws on elections, on referenda, on immunity and on “foreign agents”.

The EU emphasises that the sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional order, including Constitutional Court decisions, and international personality of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be respected. Any action against these principles will lead to serious consequences, as the European Union has made already clear.

Following the European Council decision last month, on opening EU accession negotiations, the EU expects Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the Republika Srpska entity, to make steps forward instead of taking actions that are at odds with its European path. The European Council’s decision proved that dialogue instead of escalation delivers results. We call on all leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to live up to their commitments and to the expectations of the citizens and to return to the negotiating table for the benefit of the people in the country and its future in the EU.