Statement by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on the announced initative of SDA to challenge the name of Republika Srpska
In response to the announcement of SDA’s initiative to challenge the name of the Republika Srpska, the OSCE Mission to BiH notes that the Dayton Peace Agreement and the BiH Constitution clearly recognize two entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska. The OSCE Mission encourages SDA leadership and all parties to find constructive ways to improve dialogue, understanding and trust between the Constituent Peoples.
Indeed, as the High Representative has stated, SDA’s initiative is particularly unwelcome in the midst of government formation and the urgent need to resolve several politically sensitive issues. It is a distraction from addressing the real needs of citizens and does nothing to resolve the issues that SDA legitimately raises in relation to the position of returnees in Republika Srpska, such as the Bosnian language.
Rather than divisive rhetoric and maximalist positions that only lead to crises, the citizens of this country need political leaders to work toward a better future through dialogue, mutual understanding and compromise.