Balkans | High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina: The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot be questioned

High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty and territorial integrity were “indisputable”.

Schmidt assessed the problem of immovable property that has caused great controversy in the country recently and the statements of Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska (RS), one of the two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that immovable property belongs to the entity, otherwise he will separate Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Noting that the problem of immovable property was not fully resolved in the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Schmidt claimed, “This is a fundamental problem that needs to be resolved in the country. At this point, the conclusion is very simple; my politicians Bosnia and Herzegovina, please do your job.” He said.

Referring to the importance of technical and legal negotiations in resolving the immovable property problem, Schmidt announced that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) have begun to deal with the problem with a delegation of experts.

Emphasizing that entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have no right to leave the country, Schmidt said, “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot be questioned. I do not accept the ugly acts committed in this context.” He said.

The problem of immovable property in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Arguing that the immovable property belongs to the entities according to the Dayton Peace Treaty, which ended the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska claims that it also has property management under the said law.

While the issue of immovable property has been a topic that has been discussed since the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it has been debated whether immovable property in the country belongs to the state or the entities that use it.

While the Immovable Property Law, which was voted on in December 2022 and is unconstitutional, is expected to enter into force on February 28, BiH High Representative Schmidt announced that he has suspended the controversial law.

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 2 also struck down the controversial law on possession of immovable property in Republika Srpska.

Previously, the Constitutional Court had ruled that the authority to manage public property belonged to the entity, and the right of ownership belonged to the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

While Dodik said that he would separate Republika Srpska from BiH if the issue regarding immovable property is not resolved after the decision of the Constitutional Court, a statement was also signed which included the positions of Serbs working in institutions in BiH on “immovable property”. properties.”

AA