The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed serious concern about the statement of the SDA delegate to the Council of Peoples of Republika Srpska, Dževad Mahmutović, who called for an armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the Ministry, his words not only worry the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also the entire region.

The Ministry called on the political representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular the most extremist members of the Bosnian people, to promote the revival of political dialogue between the entities and constituent peoples. ‘Everything else throws petrol on the fire and contributes not only to political escalation, but also to the dangerous security escalation,’ emphasised the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In response to Mahmutović’s messages, the Ministry stated that Serbia cannot remain silent and indifferent when direct threats are expressed against the Serbian people and the legitimate institutions of Republika Srpska.

The statement emphasised that the escalation of hostilities and the sending of threatening messages could lead the entire region, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in particular, in a direction that is not in the interests of any reasonable party. The Ministry reiterated that Serbia, while not wishing to interfere in the internal political relations of other states, as a neighbour and guarantor of the survival of Republika Srpska, has the right to express its concern over the increasingly militant and provocative tone of some Bosnian politicians.

The Ministry also insisted that the solution to the political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in moderating the rhetoric, renewing internal dialogue and strengthening trust between the peoples. Serbia, the statement said, will continue to play a constructive role on the international stage and work to calm the situation in the country.

Mahmutović had stated during a television appearance on a federal media outlet that if the police of Republika Srpska tried to prevent the arrest of President Milorad Dodik, it would be necessary to resort to the use of force, even shooting.