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It is outrageous that the US Department of State is dealing with the domestic affairs of other countries and writing reports on the human rights and other situations of foreign states on the basis of all kinds of one-sided information, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó argued in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Wednesday.
At a joint press conference with his Bosnian counterpart, the Hungarian Minister said that although Elmedin Konakovic did not need his support, he wished to voice his objections to the concerns raised about Bosnia and Herzegovina in the annual Country Report on Human Rights Practices.
I have to say I am appalled, and I am appalled again and again every year, that the US Department of State has the audacity to make such ex cathedra statements about other countries and other countries’ internal issues and situations,”
Péter Szijjártó stated.
“Where do they come up with this? I am not aware of any report by the Foreign Ministry of Bosnia and Herzegovina, let alone mine, on the human rights and other situations in other countries. Why? Because, it is none of our business,” he added. Szijjártó said that he finds it outrageous and shocking that bureaucrats in Washington get together and make such statements about other countries on the basis of all kinds of one-sided information, often financed by the United States.
Who governs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and how, and whether people are satisfied with what they have, is left to those who live here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As for what the situation is in Hungary, let the Hungarian people decide (…) We refuse to allow anyone to question Hungarian democracy and the will of the Hungarian people expressed in democratic elections,”
he stressed.
Reacting to US concerns about his attitude towards the press, Bosnian Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic said that it was an attempt at character assassination and that all he wanted was for journalists to do their job fairly. The US report includes problems with the independence of the judiciary, corruption, and restrictions on freedom of expression and media, among others.
Regarding the Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, often deemed controversial in international politics, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Dodik had been re-elected and that Hungary respected that, and it was not at all important what he thought about him, but only how the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina perceived him. He added that the cooperation with Dodik was “fair, equitable, and based on mutual respect,” while the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina was “beyond dispute.”
Featured photo via Facebook/Péter Szijjártó