PHOTO: AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic
The European Union "deeply regrets" the political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the increasing friction between the three ethnic communities distracts attention from the reforms that are vital for the life of all citizens of BiH, it was said at the debate in the European Parliament
Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis pointed out that the EU will monitor the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, calling on the member states for a unified response. "It is of vital importance to ensure the unity of the EU and consistent sending of messages to all parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina," he said.
The head of Slovenian diplomacy, Anže Logar, emphasized in the same tone that any blockade in Bosnia is unacceptable. "Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina are worried about problems that are key to their lives. "Political leaders must overcome this situation and focus on joint efforts that will enable reforms and speed up the European path," said Logar.
The discussion on Bosnia and Herzegovina was initiated due to the rhetoric coming from Republika Srpska about the transfer of competences from state to entity institutions, the declaration of independence and the establishment of its own army. At the beginning of September, the Serbian member of the Presidency, Milorad Dodik, announced that the Assembly of the RS will propose withdrawing from the agreement on the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and canceling the authority of the Administration for Indirect Taxation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Republic of Srpska.
During the debate, MEPs expressed their concern about the situation in the country and called for the introduction of sanctions against Dodik in order to ensure territorial integrity and peace in the region.
Bulgarian MP from the European People's Party (EPP) Andrej Kovačev warned that the situation in Bosnia threatens not only the citizens of that country, but also the region and the EU, adding that the European perspective of BiH must be emphasized.
During the debate, part of the members of the European Parliament assessed that the incendiary rhetoric did not come independently from Banja Luka, but with the support of Moscow and Belgrade. Thus, Angel Dzambazki from the ranks of European conservatives and reformists blamed the Kremlin and Belgrade for the problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, assessing that what Dodik says was not initiated by him.
The Croatian MP from the Socialist and Democrat groups, Tonino Picula, also agreed with him and added Budapest to that list. "On our borders, we should have a functioning BiH, which is a sovereign state, and not some part of the 'Serbian world', which is more or less openly speculated about, especially from Belgrade. Therefore, all contacts with Milorad Dodik must take this into account. His political plans should not be given legitimacy in any way," said Picula.
The political crisis in BiH intensified after in July of this year former high representative Valentin Incko, in accordance with his powers to enact legal solutions that were not previously adopted by domestic legislators, changed the provisions of the criminal law. According to the new legal solutions, denial of genocide and other war crimes is prohibited.
Led by Milorad Dodik, officials of the ruling SNSD in Republika Srpska took a number of steps, such as boycotting state bodies and initiating new laws in Republika Srpska, in order to "respond" to what they consider attacks on RS institutions.
SP/Al Jazeera
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Extraordinary session of the High Prosecution Council
Prosecutors without protection from Vučić's pressures subscribeThe archive of the weekly Vreme includes all our digital editions, since the very beginning of our work. All issues can be downloaded in PDF format, by purchasing the digital edition, or you can read all available texts from the selected issue.
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