Delivered by Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Mohamed Abushahab

Madam President,

I thank Mr. Christian Schmidt for his briefing. I also welcome the participation of Mr. Sefik Dzaferovic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in today’s meeting, as well as the participation of Croatia, Serbia, and the European Union.

Madam President,

This year marks the twenty-seventh anniversary of the signing of the “General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, or what is known as the “Dayton Agreement”. This agreement represents a diplomatic achievement that ended the devastating Bosnian war, from which tragedies remain vivid in the hearts of its survivors. In this context, the UAE expresses its concern over the recent developments and existing political tensions that threaten to exacerbate the political and security situation in the country. The current situation requires drawing lessons from the past and building upon these lessons to ensure a better and more stable future for generations to come. This requires working to diffuse tensions and to resolve differences among the parties in accordance with the Bosnia and Herzegovina constitution to prevent the current situation from worsening, particularly in light of the dangerous juncture that Europe is going through as a result of the war in Ukraine. In this regard, my country would like to emphasize the following points:

First, my country affirms its support for the unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with international law and the Dayton Agreement. In this context, the agreement must be adhered to as it is a reference for resolving differences among all political parties. Cooperation between both entities constituting Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the core principles of this agreement, which all parties must abide by. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of full respect for national institutions.

Second, the UAE commends the important role played by the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has maintained peace in the country by protecting the political aspects of the Dayton Agreement over the past three decades. It has also supported political reforms backed by the international community to ensure their success.

Third, encouraging peaceful coexistence among the various communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and keeping the channels of communication open between them is essential to achieve sustainable peace. In this context, the UAE condemns any attempt to provoke sectarian and ethnic tensions, spread hate speech, encourage racial incitements, or glorify war crimes and their perpetrators. These acts undermine the prospects of achieving positive engagement and threaten renewed violence in the country. The UAE also stresses the importance of dialogue and building bridges between various communities, as this will contribute to strengthening a peaceful, secure, and prosperous society.

In conclusion, the UAE hope that the current efforts to establish a sustainable peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue. In this context, the role of the “Peace Implementation Council” is particularly important, including through the endeavors of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Intensifying international efforts will help support the political system in Bosnia and Herzegovina to achieve the aspirations of its people, which will positively impact the maintenance of peace and security throughout the Balkans.

Thank you, Madam President.