ボスニア・ヘルツェゴビナ情勢に関する安保理会合における志野大使ステートメント

Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank High Representative Christian Schmidt for the detailed inputs. We are also very appreciative of his recent report shared with this Council. We would like to reassure Japan’s unwavering support for him and his office.

I also welcome the participation of the Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mr. Denis Bećirović. I also would like to welcome the representatives of Croatia, Serbia, and the European Union to this meeting.

Mr. President,

First of all, Japan welcomes the European Council’s decision in this March to open accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a major positive development towards its long held goal.

At the same time, as we stated last month at this Chamber, Japan is also deeply concerned about heightened political tensions in the country.

We echo the concerns indicated in the report by the High Representative about the escalation of statements and actions by one entity, Republika Srpska, challenging the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in ways that would undermine the foundation of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

We strongly urge all political parties to engage in constructive dialogue and make necessary reforms, for consolidating the Dayton Peace Agreement and preparing the EU accession process.  

Mr. President,

Taking this opportunity, we would like to reiterate our strong support for the activities of the UN Peacebuilding Fund in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These projects aim to promote mutual understanding and trust among the people, while advancing the WPS and YPS agendas.

Additionally, the projects promote combatting historical revisionism, and deepen people’s understanding on what happened during the war based on facts, countering the denial of war crimes and genocide.

As one of the top donors to the PBF and a member of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), Japan has contributed to nation-building and national reconciliation efforts since the end of the war. We strongly support any action that helps the efforts of people on the ground.
 
Mr. President,

Japan once again expresses our sturdy commitment to working with Bosnia and Herzegovina on the path to peace, stability and prosperity for the country, and for the Western Balkans as a whole, which will also lead to its EU membership.

I thank you.