Lavrov Says Russia Supports Bosnia's Integrity

Russia supports the territorial integrity and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, said in Sarajevo on Friday during his long-awaited visit to the country.

Members of Bosnia's three-man state presidency welcomed Lavrov in Sarajevo before his meeting with Bosnian Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak, as Lavrov said Russia wished to strengthen its already good political and economic cooperation with Bosnia.

"Russia's support for the Dayton Accords [which ended the 1992-95 war] has no alternative. We support the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional competences of its two entities and the constitutionality of all three peoples in Bosnia," Lavrov said.

He also declined to be drawn on the subject of Russian "favourites" in the upcoming general election, saying Moscow's only favourites were Bosnian citizens.

"We are grateful to Russia for its principled position concerning relations within Bosnia," Crnadak told the media at a press conference.

Bosniak state presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic said Lavrov would outline Moscow's agenda for the country.

They "are against of the demonization of Republika Srpska and are for ending the term of the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia," Izetbegovic said.

Russia has long stated its wish to abolish the Office of the High Representative, OHR, an ad-hoc international institution responsible for overseeing the Dayton Agreement.

Lavrov then visited Banja Luka, administrative centre of the Bosnia's mainly Serbian entity, Republika Srpska, where he was welcomed by Milorad Dodik, President of the entity, Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic and Serbian Foreign Minister, Ivica Dacic.

Along with various officials,...

Continue reading on: