ILIĆ URGES GREATER ROLE FOR DOMESTIC ACTORS IN BiH GOVERNANCE AND INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR IT

NEW YORK, MAY 12 /SRNA/ - Success can only be achieved through respect for the constitutional framework of both entities and all three constituent peoples, as envisaged by the Dayton Peace Accords, while the international community should support governance led by democratically elected domestic political actors, Serbian Ambassador to the UN Radomir Ilić has stated.

Speaking at the UN Security Council session on BiH, Ilić stressed that principles, rather than reports, should guide international engagement, noting that reports change depending on the side presenting them, while principles should remain constant. He reaffirmed Serbia's unwavering commitment to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH as set out in the UN Charter, adding that Belgrade therefore supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH in line with the Dayton Peace Accords, which remains the cornerstone of peace, stability and the constitutional order in the country. He said that Dayton, three decades after its signing, continues to provide a carefully balanced framework reflecting the reality of BiH's "international structure" and that consistent and good-faith implementation is essential for maintaining stability and the functioning of institutions. According to Ilić, Dayton can and must be implemented more effectively, but it cannot be redefined without the consent of all parties. He emphasized that Serbia, as a country in the heart of the Balkans, is aware of its role and responsibility, and has often refrained from rhetoric that could deepen divisions, believing the region should move toward cooperation and economic progress rather than renewed tensions. Ilić called for resolving disagreements through compromise and mutual respect, stressing that progress cannot be achieved through imposed interpretations of the constitutional order. "The problem is not a conflict between centralization and decentralization, nor between functionality and protection. What is needed is what is already envisaged by the Dayton Agreement - constitutional balance and functionality through consent," Ilić stated. He added that current political tensions in BiH highlight the importance of avoiding externally imposed narratives and focusing instead on strengthening internal constructive dialogue. As long as domestic actors rely on international intervention in resolving political disputes, Ilić warned, incentives for compromise are reduced and political responsibility is shifted away from those who should bear it. He concluded that Serbia believes the future of BiH lies in legitimately elected domestic actors, and that dialogue, compromise and mutual understanding are irreplaceable, while measures not based on consensus undermine stability and that BiH must be governed from within with support from the international community.