Saudi Arabia, Cyprus agree visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and special passports    Saudi Arabia marks 8th anniversary of Vision 2030, showcasing monumental progress and strategic achievements    Lt. Gen. Al-Bassami: 28 Public Security units in Saudi Arabia to exchange information on human trafficking    MWL session affirms global Islamic unity, tackles challenges    Al-Ahsa Airport to double capacity to accommodate 100 million passengers a year    L'Oréal dermatology conference emphasizes sustainability in Riyadh edition    Saudi internet penetration hits 99% while online shopping jumps to 63.7% in 2023    Biden keeps needling Trump as he walks a tightrope over his rival's trial    Ukraine uses longer-range US missiles for first time    At least 32 dead as flash floods sweep through half of Kenya    Russia vetoes US-backed UN resolution to ban nuclear weapons in space    Riyadh Season announces first overseas event with boxing gala in Los Angeles    Riyadh to host Saudi-UK expo "GREAT FUTURES" in May    Belgian man whose body produces alcohol in rare condition acquitted of drunk driving    Al Hilal's comeback effort falls short in AFC Champions League semi-finals    Australian police launch manhunt for Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger    Spice Girls reunite at Posh's 50th birthday    Swedish rider Eckermann wins 2024 Show Jumping World Cup in Riyadh    Aspiring fencer Josh Brayden aims for Olympic glory    Revenues touch SR3.7 billion in Saudi cinema sector since 2018    JK Rowling in 'arrest me' challenge over hate crime law    Trump's Bible endorsement raises concern in Christian religious circles    Hollywood icon Will Smith shares his profound admiration for Holy Qur'an    We have celebrated Founding Day for three years - but it has been with us for 300    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Another European war 'not an impossibility'; Unity crucial in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 12 - 05 - 2022

Amidst rising tensions, a months-long political stalemate and increasing speculation about yet another conflict in Europe, the international community must stand firm behind a peaceful, unified Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country's UN envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday.
High Representative Christian Schmidt said that more than 26 years after the signing of the General Framework Agreement for Peace – known as the Dayton Accords – citizens are once again talking about the possibility of another conflict, posing the risk of inflammatory incidents.
"The conflict in Ukraine, not so far away, is a sobering reminder that even in the 21st century, another war on European soil is not an impossibility," he stressed.
Outlining the main challenges, Mr. Schmidt said that authorities in the ethnic Serb-dominated Republika Srpska – one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's two entities, alongside the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina – have increasingly embraced rhetoric and actions that could undermine the constitutional framework.
They include attempts to render national laws inapplicable, which would likely mean the Republika's withdrawal from the country's unified forces.
Emphasizing that such constitutional changes cannot be made unilaterally, they would threaten the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he stressed the international community has a responsibility to defend the Dayton Accord and the rights of the country's three constituent peoples.
The High Representative praised international support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's unity, including through targeted sanctions by many Governments.
"We will not sit still while other seek to dismantle 26 years of peace, stability and progress," he said.
Turning to the country's potential membership in the European Union (EU) – a path that would help resolve grievances and foster peace and stability – he urged the bloc to keep its doors open to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the rest of the Western Balkan nations.
Meanwhile, fulfilling Agenda 5+2 and the European Council's recommendations before membership can be considered, would help resolve grievances and foster lasting peace and stability, thereby improving the lives of every citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It would also help stem the ever-increasing flow of young people out of the country and provide hope for a brighter future, he said.
Šefik Džaferović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, joined the Council meeting on behalf of his country.
Describing the High Representative's report on the situation as an objective account, he agreed that for over 10 months, his country has been in a deep political crisis caused by the secessionist threats, blockade of institutions and other actions by Republika Srpska.
Noting that Bosnia and Herzegovina lacks a fully developed mechanism to prevent such secessionist activities, he called for the international community's full support.
Considering the current geopolitical situation – "we feel the strong consequences of the aggression on Ukraine" – he echoed calls on the EU to respond positively to the nation's request for candidate status.
At the meeting's outset, several delegates expressed their reservations on hearing Mr. Schmidt brief in his capacity as High Representative.
Anna M. Evstigneeva, the Russian delegate, said Mr. Schmidt is a German citizen whose appointment was never authorized by the Council.
Echoing similar misgivings, China's representative, Dai Bing said that while the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina features a profound deadlock, all members of society – including Republika Srpska – have pledged to uphold the country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Describing the High Representative system as a relic from another time, he declared: "Picking sides by external forces will not help resolve differences between ethnic groups."
He also warned against the imposition of unilateral sanctions, emphasizing the serious humanitarian impacts that the conflict in Ukraine is having on food security as well as lingering challenges caused by the COVID pandemic. — UN News


Clic here to read the story from its source.