The President of the Republika Srpska (RS), Milorad Dodik, emphasized that RS should be given the position of the keynegotiator with the European Union (EU), and welcomed the announcement of obtaining negotiating status for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), although it does not mean much without a concrete date for the opening of negotiations.
“The European path was supported by the SNSD through its activities and we are part of the agreement. We believe that part of the gratitude belongs to the SNSD,” said Dodik, who is also the leader of the SNSD, after the party’s Executive Committee session in Banja Luka.
He reminded that an activity plan was previously adopted at the level of BiH when it comes to negotiations with the EU.
“It was agreed that the Law on the Constitutional Court will be submitted in April. The elimination of foreign judges and unelected foreigners is part of the 14 priorities that have been set before BiH,” Dodik said at a press conference.
The SNSD has always been in favor of solving the 14 priorities immediately, says Dodik and emphasizes that the issue of the status of the High Representative and the Constitutional Court will not be skipped.
“We are looking for the implementation of all agreements with partners in the Federation of BiH (FBiH). It should remain that two judges of the Constitutional Court of BiH are elected by the RS and that three local judges, who would replace foreigners, are elected by the Parliamentary Assembly instead of the European Court. We stand by that,” said Dodik.
He said that at the Executive Committee, it was emphasized that full respect for the coordination mechanism is necessary, and he pointed out that he believes that the position of chief negotiator should belong to RS.
“The minister is a Bosniak, the deputy is a Croat. Everyone is satisfied in the negotiation process when it comes to the Federation. We will ask for it,” said Dodik.
Speaking about global relations, Dodik stated that the policies of great powers determine the state of small nations and states, but that he does not see that anything in the region could threaten security.
The SNSD leader stated that the political, economic and security situation in the RS is stable.
“It was caused by the measures of the competent authorities, and the political situation is taking on the elements of upcoming local elections,” said Dodik.
He pointed out that the SNSD Executive Committee also considered the party’s preparations for this year’s local elections.
