31 October 2025 15:08 UTC · UK Government · GOV.UK Speech · Source · Email X Link

UK welcomes EUFOR renewal and backs Dayton Agreement

Key points

United Kingdom supports renewal of EUFOR Althea mandate
United Kingdom backs the High Representative, Bonn Powers, and Dayton Agreement

TL;DR

United Kingdom welcomes renewal of the EUFOR Althea mandate, thanks Greece as penholder and welcomes High Representative Christian Schmidt and Mr Željko Komšić.
United Kingdom says constitutional order and rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be upheld and calls on all actors to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.
United Kingdom notes the past year’s political crisis was caused by attacks on the Constitution and institutions by former Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and urges timely presidential elections in Republika Srpska.
United Kingdom supports the High Representative and, where necessary, use of his executive (Bonn) powers; supports the Dayton Peace Agreement and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic integration and welcomes the European Union Reform Agenda.

Original text

The UK welcomes the renewal of the mandate of EUFOR Althea, which continues to play a vital role in ensuring peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I thank Greece, as penholder, for its efforts on the text. I would also like to thank High Representative Christian Schmidt for his latest report and welcome His Excellency Mr Željko Komšić in our meeting today, as well as the representatives of Serbia, Croatia and the European Union. I will make three points: First, the constitutional order and rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be upheld. The last year has been marked by the most significant political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 30 years, caused by attacks on the Constitution and institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina by former President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik. We respect the decisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s courts and call on all actors to uphold the rule of law and to show respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Holding timely presidential elections in the Republika Srpska will provide an opportunity for formation of their new government. We encourage a focus on constructive and cooperative politics, including between Bosnia and Herzegovina’s two entities. Second, the political crisis reinforces the ongoing vital and legitimate role of the High Representative and the importance of the Bonn Powers, both of which have been endorsed by this council in several Chapter 7 Resolutions. Selected by the Peace Implementation Council and not the United Nations Security Council, the High Representative is charged with upholding implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. We fully support the High Representative and, where necessary, the use of his executive powers. Third, the United Kingdom supports the Dayton Peace Agreement which mandated one state, two entities, and three constituent peoples. At the same time, we fully support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s ambitions for Euro-Atlantic integration, as reflected in the will of the majority of its citizens. I welcome the recent adoption of the European Union Reform Agenda as the most efficient way to deliver long-term benefits for all Bosnia and Herzegovina’s citizens. We continue to support domestic responsibility and accountability. Finally, the United Kingdom encourages all political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to put aside their differences and demonstrate their political courage, working together towards a more stable and prosperous future for all citizens.

Key tags

Topics

Keywords

Stats

Word count: 398

Summary words: 138

Compression: 35%

Boilerplate removed: Yes

Top phrases:

Entities

People

Organizations

Places

None found.

Countries

Regions

Republika Srpska