Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister, Elmedin Konaković, has declared two Serbian diplomats, Milan Dulanović and Darko Maksimović, as undesirable persons, requiring them to leave the country within 48 hours. This decision has been made within the minister’s authority, according to Konaković, who emphasized the need to maintain the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The move has been met with condemnation from the Serbian government, which labeled it as unconstructive and detrimental to regional stability.
The expulsion of the diplomats, who include a military attaché and an advisor to the BIA representative at the Serbian Embassy in Sarajevo, has sparked a diplomatic row between the two countries. Serbian officials have criticized the decision, arguing that it does not contribute to easing tensions and questioning the legal basis and authority for such an action. Željka Cvijanović, the Serbian member of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency, has stated that the Foreign Minister does not have the authority to make such decisions, which should fall under the jurisdiction of the Council of Ministers.
The incident has further strained the already tense relations between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Historical tensions between the two countries have been exacerbated by recent events, including the funeral of Ratko Mladić, a former Bosnian Serb Army commander convicted of war crimes. Konaković’s actions have led to discussions about the limits of his authority and the implications for diplomatic relations between the two nations.
In response to the expulsions, Konaković has also announced the potential withdrawal of part of the Bosnian diplomatic staff from the embassy in Belgrade. He has indicated that this move is within his jurisdiction, as he has the authority to manage the staffing of diplomatic missions. The Bosnian Foreign Minister’s decision to reduce diplomatic relations with Serbia has been described by some as a political maneuver, aimed at gaining domestic political points.
The situation remains fluid, with potential for further developments, including possible retaliatory actions from Serbia. The Serbian government has stated that it will carefully consider the legal and political aspects of the decision, without escalating the situation further. However, the expulsion of the diplomats and the subsequent diplomatic fallout have raised concerns about regional stability and the future of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The international community has yet to fully react to these developments, but the incident underscores the fragile nature of diplomatic relations in the region. The expulsion of the Serbian diplomats is seen as a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two countries, with potential implications for regional cooperation and stability. As the situation evolves, the actions and responses of both countries will be closely monitored by international observers.
