Relations between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia worsen further, after Sarajevo’s harsh reaction to recent developments in Belgrade. The Bosnian Foreign Minister, Elmedin Konakovic, has announced that he will withdraw most of the staff of the Bosnia-Herzegovina embassy in Belgrade.
Only the ambassador and the consul will remain in the embassy, as the minister does not have the power to remove them, while their appointment is made by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The decision came after the ceremonies held in Serbia for Ratko Mladic and the messages that the Bosnian authorities described as glorification of a criminal convicted of war crimes.
“This is the last alarm bell,” declared Konakovic, also referring to a message displayed during a football match in Belgrade. At the same time, he declared two officials of the Embassy of Serbia in Sarajevo as persons unwanted and giving them 48 hours to leave the country.
During this conference, the Bosnian minister made strong accusations against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić for inciting regional tensions. Due to these developments, Bosnia has also withdrawn its consent to sign a joint regional declaration in Montenegro.
According to Bosnian diplomacy, Belgrade is again following the dangerous practices of the 90s that harm good neighborliness. Konakovic has called on the European Union to react clearly to the tolerance of these messages that threaten security.
