Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – A significant diplomatic incident has unfolded between Bosnia and Hungary. Bosnia's Defence Minister, Zukan Helez, unequivocally denied permission for a Hungarian military aircraft, carrying Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, to land in the Bosnian Serb Republic on Wednesday.
Bosnia Cites Sovereignty Concerns Over Hungarian Support
The refusal stems from Bosnia's firm stance against Budapest's perceived overt backing of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik. Bosnian authorities view Dodik's actions as a direct threat to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
Minister Helez publicly announced his decision on Facebook, stating that Hungary had failed to provide sufficient explanation regarding Szijjarto's intended visit to Banja Luka, the administrative center of the autonomous Serb Republic. He emphasized, "As the Minister of Defence of BiH, my duty is to protect the constitutional order, laws and interest of BiH. That is why I have decided not to approve this flight until full transparency and respect of our state are ensured."
Context: Regional Visits and Contested Alliances
Earlier the same day, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto was reportedly in neighboring Serbia, where discussions centered on providing aid to Belgrade amidst disruptions to crude oil shipments from Croatia. However, the core of the Bosnian authorities' apprehension lies with the consistent support extended by both Hungarian Prime Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Foreign Minister Szijjarto to Milorad Dodik.
Dodik himself, a controversial figure with a history of defying international peace envoy rulings and constitutional court decisions—which led to him being stripped of previous duties as president of the Serb Republic—has openly touted Orban's endorsement of his policies. This alliance was visibly reinforced by a recent meeting in Budapest. On Wednesday, Dodik and his ally Sinisa Karan, who reportedly secured victory in the region's recent snap presidential vote, convened with Prime Minister Orban in the Hungarian capital.
Hungarian Ministry Silent on Incident
As of reporting, the Hungarian foreign ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the flight denial.
This incident vividly highlights the complex and often delicate political landscape within Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing renewed focus to international concerns over actions that could potentially destabilize the region or undermine the foundational Dayton Peace Agreement.
