Serbia’s RTS falsely claims FBiH entity opened Consulate in Novi Pazar

Serbia’s Public Service Broadcaster, the Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) called the Tuesday opening of Bosnia’s first General Consulate in this country’s Sandzak region, mostly populated by Bosniaks, a Federation of BiH’s consulate.

The Consulate will cover six Sandzak municipalities – Novi Pazar, Tutin, Sjenica, Nova Varos, Prijepolje and Priboj, however, RTS’ reporting makes one question the relationship of this neighbouring country towards BiH, as well as its capital.

Although it is a known fact that Aleksandar Vucic, the President of Serbia, has special feelings toward Bosnia’s Republika Srpska (RS) entity, but that he nevertheless respects the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, RTS’ reporting actually refutes this if one takes into account that he controls most of the media in Serbia.

RTS stated that the consulate was opened based on the agreement between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, stating that the Federation of BiH (FBiH) opened it even though it is clear that the state's foreign policy cannot be held at the entity level.

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Thus the claim that the consulate was opened at the level of the FBiH is contradicted in the next sentence saying that “all BiH citizens located in the above-mentioned municipalities of Sandzak” can request help and services provided by the diplomatic-consular mission.

If one talks about all BiH citizens, then this includes those in the territory of the RS, which is an integral part of Bosnia.

By that alone, it can be said that in this way Serbia has shown a belittling attitude towards Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia’s Foreign Minister Bisera Turkovic opened the Consulate in Novi Pazar, on Tuesday, by cutting the ribbon. The ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries from the political and social life of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and the city of Novi Pazar. This is the country’s 57th diplomatic mission.