The National Assembly of Republika Srpska has adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Police and Internal Affairs, which introduces a reserve police force, and the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina has reacted to this.
“The EU Delegation/Office of the EU Special Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina regrets the adoption of amendments to the Law on Police and Internal Affairs of the entity of Republika Srpska in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska in an urgent procedure on 3 July, which paves the way for the introduction of a reserve police force,” the statement said.
They believe that this move could have extremely negative effects on relations within our country.
“This step in the current environment is unnecessary and counterproductive, and carries the risk of further deepening divisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” they said.
They referred, among other things, to the shortage of personnel in police structures throughout BiH.
“At a time when there are a large number of vacant positions in police authorities across Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU encourages the competent authorities to work on finding systemic solutions to this problem in a way that will ensure long-term sustainability, while simultaneously engaging in improving mutual cooperation and coordination of all police authorities, with the aim of strengthening security and the fight against organized crime and corruption,” the statement said.
Finally, they said that following the decision of the EU Council to open accession negotiations with BiH, they expect all political actors in the country to “focus their efforts on the reforms needed for progress on the European path.”
