Milan Petković, the Member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the PABIH Delegation in the PA of the Union for the Mediterranean, addressed the participants of the Forum for the Future of the Mediterranean

Mr Petković is attending the Forum for the Future of the Mediterranean, which is being held today and tomorrow in Granada as part of the Spanish presidency of the PAUfM.

The forum has brought together the presidents, vice presidents and representatives of the parliaments of the member states of this multilateral parliamentary organisation to discuss peace and stability in the Mediterranean region, the specific challenges posed by migration flows, climate change and the employment of young people and gender equality in the Mediterranean region.

In his speech to participants at the first session, titled 'Global Conference on the Alliance of Civilisations: Peace and Security in the Mediterranean Region', Petković noted that, historically, the Mediterranean region has served as a meeting place for different civilisations, which, despite challenges, have advanced dialogue and diversity.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina, positioned between East and West, is acutely aware of the delicate balance inherent in multicultural societies. Our history teaches us that peace is not just the absence of conflict; it requires proactive efforts to promote understanding, justice and inclusive governance," said Petković.

Petković assessed the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as unstable. 'Some call this a "constitutional crisis", while others use the term "contractual crisis", emphasising the contractual nature of the state established by the Dayton Peace Agreement.' Regardless of the terminology used, Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently facing a political crisis caused by the decision of the illegitimate High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt. The United Nations Security Council recently discussed issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina, pointing to an unpromising trend," Petković warned.

He emphasised the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina receiving all available support to ensure that disputes are resolved through peaceful legal means, as initiated by the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska (RS) in March of this year.

"As a contracting party to Annexes 4 and 10 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska has submitted a request for the dispute between the Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina to be resolved by arbitration, as set out in the aforementioned annexes. This request is addressed to all relevant parties, including those who witnessed the Dayton Peace Agreement, and proposes the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague as the competent authority for resolving the dispute,' Petković said, calling on the Forum participants to appeal to the governments of PSUzM member states to support this initiative.

Petković emphasised Bosnia and Herzegovina's commitment to the Mediterranean region, where differences serve as the cornerstone rather than a fracture, and where international law is considered a duty rather than a choice. "Together, we can transition from fragility to prosperity, from conflict to cooperation, and from unilateral action to collective responsibility," said Petković.

The Forum's participants were also greeted by His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain; the President of the House of Representatives, Francina Armengol; the President of the Senate, Pedro Rollán Ojeda; and the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, who presented the new Pact for the Mediterranean.

In addition to representatives of the parliaments of PSUzM member states, the Forum in Granada, Spain, is being attended by representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and other multilateral parliamentary organisations." (Statement from the Club of Deputies – Serbian Club in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH)