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“At this important juncture for the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council should be united in condemning actions that threaten the Peace Accords. It should stand firmly behind Bosnia and Herzegovina as a sovereign and united country and in support of its Euro-Atlantic integration,” said Lithuania’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė at the UN Security Council in New York on 10 November.

Lithuania expressed its concern over the intentions of the authorities of the Republika Srpska to hold an entity-level referendum on state-level judiciary in Republika Srpska. It is particularly disturbing that such objectives run counter to the letter and the spirit of the Peace Agreement and threaten the very sovereignty and unity of the country.

Recent years have seen substantial progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s preparations for EU membership. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement entered into force on 1 June 2015 and the reform agenda was adopted. “A crucial moment has come to embark on the implementation of this comprehensive agenda, with an aim to improve social and economic situation, strengthen the rule of law, and enhance administrative capacities,” said the Lithuanian representative.

The Ambassador Murmokaitė called on all the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to cooperate with the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Valentin Inzko and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

The Security Council renewed the authorization of the European Union-led multinational stabilization force (EUFOR ALTHEA) in Bosnia and Herzegovina for another year. The operation was launched in 2004. The objectives are as follows: to implement the Dayton Accord, to contribute to a safe and secure environment, to train the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

UN Photo/Amanda Voisard

Lithuania's statement at the UN Security Council debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina