RS Proposal: No Basis For Further Discussion

The proposal from the RS legal experts does not constitute a basis for further discussions. Instead of streamlining and improving the decision-making process in the Council of Ministers, the RS proposal introduces new possibilities of blockage which did not even exist before the High Representative’s Decision of 19 October. The objective of this Decision is to improve effectiveness while ensuring that the interests of the constituent peoples can be defended.

The decision of the High Representative is in force and is not negotiable. The recent Declaration of the Steering Board of the PIC welcomed the initiative of the High Representative to further explain that his Decision maintains the constitutional protection of constituent peoples and entities.

Over the last two weeks OHR legal experts have been working to that end with RS officials on an “authentic interpretation” of the High Representative’s decision. The OHR remains open to a constructive dialogue and is ready to provide an “authentic interpretation” of the High Representative’s Decision, which could become a binding legal document and integral part of the Decision. The OHR is still awaiting a reply to a proposal made to the RS authorities this week.