BEHAVIOR OF GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN MINISTERS IS A VIOLATION OF ESSENCE OF THE VIENNA CONVENTION

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 6 /SRNA/ - The behavior of German Minister Anna Lührmann and Austrian Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger during their visit to BiH is a demonstration of violating the essence of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and diplomatic protocol, according to an international relations expert from Austria, Aurora Weise.

Weise says in a press release that the visit and the imposition of sanctions by foreign politicians on domestic, entity-level officials of the host country is not a diplomatic practice.

She added that it would have been customary for foreign diplomats to announce the imposition of sanctions on the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, the Prime Minister of Srpska, Radovan Višković, and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, in their own countries.

"With this practice, they demonstrated arbitrariness, barbarism, and inappropriate behavior that violates the protocols of an official visit to the host country," emphasized Weise.

She reminded once again that diplomatic visits serve to promote friendly relations between countries, regardless of the differences in their constitutional and social systems.

Weise says that the inappropriate behavior continued on Friday, April 4, when the foreign diplomat Anna Lührmann, along with her delegation, traveled to the territory of the constitutional and legal entity of Republika Srpska.

She added that the goal was to meet with representatives of non-governmental organizations and the opposition in order to encourage and support the overthrow of the current legitimate government of Republika Srpska and the constitutionally established bodies – individuals to whom sanctions had been imposed the day before.

"This is an attack on the constitutional and legal order and a threat to the national security of Republika Srpska," emphasized Weise.

She pointed out that interference by foreign diplomats in internal political processes is strictly prohibited in all democratic countries.

"Also, since she was on a visit with her delegation, it was understood that the announcement, approval, and coordination of the protocol with the security authorities of Republika Srpska had to be arranged. Particularly with the Government and President Dodik, who, according to the Constitution of Republika Srpska, represents the Republic and expresses its state unity," Weise emphasized.

She says that, given that there was no such official communication from the German delegation, this move is considered a direct provocation and a demonstration of a colonial approach.

"I will illustrate this vividly. Imagine that Milorad Dodik, on behalf of Republika Srpska, came to Berlin and, on the territory of a foreign federal state, imposed sanctions on a legally elected and legitimate representative of that country, let’s say, Olaf Scholz. Then, after that, with his delegation, he would travel unannounced to Bavaria to meet with his opposition and agree on his political overthrow," Weise said.

She says that the least this scandalous move by the German minister deserves is for her to be declared persona non grata.

"However, these two countries, Germany and Austria, deeply tied to Nazism in recent history, have essentially forgotten that 'we are the children of partisans and descendants of the tradition of freedom,'" emphasized Weise.

She pointed out that it is essential to mention the problematic behavior of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Council of Ministers, Elmedin Konaković, who, through lies, incitement, and scheming, undermines the integrity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dayton institutions in the world.

Weise emphasized that this is not something that foreign ministers do in normal, sovereign countries, especially in complex state communities like BiH.

"Calling President Milorad Dodik a 'criminal' at a press conference with the two ministers of a foreign country is subject to legal action. Not only is President Dodik not a criminal, but his conviction for disrespecting the self-proclaimed High Representative, Christian Schmidt, is neither legal nor, in the end, final," added Weise.

She also pointed out the threats that Konaković would "inform all countries, the EU leadership, EUFOR, and numerous embassies by spreading shocking lies that Dodik was ready to deprive Minister Lührmann of her freedom and life.”

According to Weise, the abuse of duty and the operational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Council of Ministers to send false reports to foreign officials is grounds for the dismissal or resignation of the current "head of diplomacy."

"I would ask the internal control in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prosecutor's Office of BiH to respond to Konaković's false accusations ex officio and file a lawsuit against him for serious corrupt acts and abuse of office. Until then, every word from Konaković in the international community should and will be considered a lie," said Weise.