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STATEMENT BY
H.E. AMB. DATO’ RAMLAN IBRAHIM,
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE
ON BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
NEW YORK, 10 NOVEMBER 2015
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Mr. President,
I would like to thank High Representative Valentin Inzko for his briefing and for his
comprehensive reports to the Council, including the Special Report of 4 September.
2. Listening to his latest update on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I can’t
help but feel that despite the voluminous work and publications on the horrors of war,
the lessons of war and human tragedies appeared to have been ignored.
3. Twenty years ago this month, the conflicting parties in the Balkans war signed
the Dayton peace agreement. The agreement was brokered and guaranteed by key
members of the international community, endorsed by this Council and subsequently
upheld in various Security Council resolutions.
4. The peace agreement ended a devastating war which saw an unprecedented
level of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Europe since the Second World War. Since
then, Bosnia and Herzegovina has gone through much progress, reflecting the
achievements of peace-building by the UN, in partnerships with regional organisations.
The international community had invested much to rebuild the country.
5. Unfortunately, twenty years on, the progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina,
as well as the Balkans region, seems far from irreversible.
Mr. President,
6. Malaysia is deeply concerned about the direct challenges posed by the
Republika Srpska to the Dayton peace agreement, in clear violations of its international
commitment. Last April, the President of the Republika Srpska declared that his political
party would call for a referendum to secede from Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2018, if the
party’s demands relating to redistributing competencies between levels of governments
are not met.
7. In another alarming development, last July, the Republika Srpska National
Assembly decided to hold a referendum this coming weekend, with the aim of
challenging the authority of the High Representative, the rule of law and the judiciary of
Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such a decision is contrary to the country’s Constitution and
the Dayton peace agreement.
8. In addition, the President of the Republika Srpska continued to make
irresponsible statements denying genocide in Srebrenica during the reporting period, in
spite of the decisions by the ICJ and the ICTY.
9. As we may recall from the previous reports of the High Representative,
secessionist and nationalistic rhetoric by the Republika Srpska politicians is not
something new and has been increasing in the past years. However, the recent
decisions adopted by the Republika Srpska authorities have effectively taken the matter
to a new disturbing level, and thus far, constitute the gravest violations of the Dayton
peace agreement and raise serious doubts about the future of the region.
10. We strongly urge the Republika Srpska authorities to respect the country’s
Constitution, various UNSC resolutions and the Dayton peace agreement, and cease
from proceeding with the referendum on 15 November and renounce its divisive politics
and secessionist agenda to avoid further destabilising the region.
Mr. President,
11. Earlier today, the Council unanimously voted on Resolution 2247 to renew the
mandate for the EU-led multinational stabilisation force for another year. Malaysia
welcomes the renewal of authorisation for EUFOR Althea and the unity shown, once
again, by the Council on the matter. However, we regret the fact that several key
elements of the previous resolutions have been removed or watered down from
Resolution 2247.
12. In particular, Malaysia views it more important now than ever for the Council to
reaffirm its commitment to the Dayton peace agreement and its support for the Office of
the High Representative, in view of the worrying developments on the ground.
13. We reiterate the need to fully implement the 5+2 (five plus two) agenda as
condition for closure of the Office of the High Representative. Until then, Malaysia
reaffirms its strong support for the Office of the High Representative, as laid down in the
Dayton peace agreement and upheld in various Council resolutions. Verbal attacks and
personal insults against the High Representative and OHR staff are unacceptable and
must immediately cease.
Mr. President,
14. Malaysia takes note of the positive developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina
during the reporting period. We welcome the increase in exports, foreign trade and
growth projections for 2015, as well as the country’s improvement in credit and business
ratings. We also look forward to the country’s upcoming membership in the World Trade
Organization, which will further boost foreign trade and investment.
15. Malaysia underlines the need for the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to
remain steadfast in its reform agenda, particularly to address unemployment, to fight
corruption, and to strengthen the rule of law.
16. We hope to see political stability return to the Federation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, after the collapse of the governing coalition in May. Despite the political
uncertainties in the entity, we commend the Federation authorities for adopting the new
Labor Law under its Reform Agenda.
17. Malaysia also takes note of the priority accorded by the Government of Bosnia
and Herzegovina on European integration as a cornerstone in its foreign policy towards
achieving peace, stability and progress. In this regard, we welcome the advancement
made by the country towards this aim, especially the entry into force of the Stabilisation
and Association Agreement with the EU in June.
Mr. President,
18. In concluding, Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to the independence,
sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with
the Dayton peace agreement and previous UNSC resolutions.
19. We reiterate our unwavering commitment in contributing towards the country’s
nation-building, reconciliation and economic progress. Malaysia has long supported
Bosnia and Herzegovina in its re-construction efforts, and will continue to do so,
especially in the areas of trade, investment, education, as well as technical and defence
cooperation programmes.
20. We urge all peoples to create a common space to continue building Bosnia and
Herzegovina for a better future. This should be done through exercising collective
responsibility and intensifying efforts towards national reconciliation and socio-economic
reforms to ensure peace and stability, in the long-term interest of the country and the
region.
I thank you, Mr. President
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