The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina has sent a protest note to the Republic of Serbia regarding the participation of Serbian government members in the January 9th commemoration of “Republic Day” of Republika Srpska, which the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has declared unconstitutional.
According to Anadolu Agency, the protest note was sent to the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Belgrade and the Embassy of Serbia in Sarajevo.
In response, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the content and intent of this diplomatic démarche.
“It is unbelievable and deeply concerning that the authorities in Sarajevo find it reasonable to send protest notes to Serbia, while at the same time officially welcoming Albin Kurti, whose policies and actions clearly violate Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This act represents a flagrant disregard of Serbia’s position on the Kosovo issue, which is firmly based on international law and supported by UN Security Council Resolution 1244,” the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
The Serbian Ministry also noted that the reception of Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Sarajevo was not only a one-time insult to Serbia but also a dangerous precedent that undermines regional stability and mutual respect.
“With this act, Sarajevo has knowingly ignored Serbia’s legitimate legal interests, further burdening relations between our two countries. Therefore, the sending and publication of the aforementioned note only serves as another confirmation that its authors are not interested in good neighborly relations, much-needed cooperation, and mutual respect, but are only aiming for another round of media disputes in which they hope to score political points, belittling both Bosnia and Serbia in the process,” the Serbian Ministry added.
The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has twice declared the January 9th celebration of Republic Day in Republika Srpska to be illegal.
Despite this, the authorities of the Bosnian entity, Republika Srpska, organized a solemn academy and parade in Banja Luka for this illegal holiday once again this year.
