Speaking from Washington, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić said that it was clearly conveyed to the Bosnian delegation that former RS president Milorad Dodik does not enjoy any support from the United States because his actions undermine stability.
Komšić told FENA that the meeting began with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who expressed condolences over the tragedy that occurred in Sarajevo the previous day.
“On that, of course, we are endlessly grateful,” Komšić said.
According to Komšić, the key topics of the discussion included the construction of the southern gas interconnection, infrastructure projects, and the overall stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He stressed that during talks on the Southern Interconnection, both sides agreed that major projects and significant investments by U.S. companies are not possible without political and security stability—an issue on which the United States insists.
“Therefore, the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the construction of energy infrastructure are a signal that there is an environment in which U.S. companies can implement projects, possibly even beyond those currently under discussion,” Komšić stated.
Addressing public interest regarding recent developments related to Dodik’s stay in the United States, Komšić emphasized that they were explicitly told that Dodik’s actions have no support whatsoever within the U.S. administration. He said that, according to Landau, there is strong dissatisfaction with Dodik’s behavior, which directly calls into question the prerequisite of stability needed for the realization of infrastructure projects.
Komšić also informed U.S. officials that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs had sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as well as to member states of the UN Security Council. The letter particularly highlighted a provision requesting a lobbying firm to work on promoting the independence of Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“This is not merely an issue of a general contract or a business relationship between a lobbying firm and the RS Government; it directly undermines the Dayton Peace Agreement and peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That goes beyond the usual scope of lobbying when it comes to the Dayton Peace Agreement and the peace and stability of BiH,” Komšić said.
The meeting also covered plans related to the presence of U.S. companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, not only in the energy sector but potentially in road and communications infrastructure as well.
“That is what I can say at first about the meeting. Honestly, please forgive a certain level of confusion, because I cannot get out of my head everything that has been happening in Sarajevo, a sense of grief and bitterness over the situation regarding the safety of our citizens. Unfortunately, we have lost lives, and doctors are fighting to save the life of a young girl. At this moment, that is the most important issue for me, if I am to be completely honest,” Komšić concluded.
