For an interview, the member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Denis Becirovic, showed the agreement on the principles of BiH’s energy policy, which was signed a long time ago, and its signatories were Milorad Dodik, when he was the prime minister of Republika Srpska (RS), and Nikola Spiric, as the former chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH.
“Tonight, I will exclusively show you the agreement on the principles of energy policy. Here, among other things, it says that the Government of the Federation of BiH (FBiH) and the Government of the RS, as well as the Council of Ministers of BiH, will pass a law on gas in BiH. This agreement was signed by the President of the Government of the RS Milorad Dodik and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Nikola Spiric. It was clear to them as well that a law on gas should be passed,” Becirovic stated two days ago.
On this occasion, he called on all political actors to implement this agreement as well.
“We need such a law that will bring a legal framework to speed up the development of BiH in a high-quality manner. Those who block the adoption of the law on gas in BiH will take responsibility for the blockade,” Becirovic emphasized.
The member of the BiH Presidency reminded that inter-entity transport is the exclusive competence of BiH and that there is no state without it.
“The Presidency of BiH will not block anything. We will probably support every good economic project together, but the rules must be respected. The Constitution of BiH must be respected. The gas goes from Zvornik to Travnik. It is inter-entity transport, and the Constitution says that inter-entity transport is the exclusive competence of BiH,” Becirovic pointed out.
When it comes to state property, Becirovic is clear that there will be no concessions, and that the decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH regarding property are binding.
“It should be borne in mind that pressure should be stopped and the fact should be accepted that a law on state property needs to be passed, and the only place for that is the Parliament of BiH… As a member of the Presidency, I also formed a special expert group that deals with the issue of state property,” said Becirovic and added that the members of this group are not tied to any political party, but are experts who will find the best possible solution, and, according to him, the solution will be reached soon.
“There is no state without state property,” Becirovic points out.
Furthermore, Becirovic also spoke about his recent visit to Croatia and emphasized that it is necessary to relax the relations between the two countries and improve bilateral cooperation.
“At these meetings in Zagreb, I said that it is necessary to improve the interstate relations of our countries, to improve bilateral cooperation, to relax relations. I even said that the relations between the citizens of BiH and Croatia are good. I think that political officials should also look up to the citizens. I specifically spoke about the importance of strengthening economic cooperation. Croatia is our second most important foreign trade partner… we have the potential to further improve this economic cooperation in the interest of the people of both countries,” he explained.
However, Becirovic pointed out that he does not agree with the Croatian president’s views on Komsic.
“I openly told Milanovic that I do not agree with his views on this matter. The members of the BiH Presidency, including Komsic, were legally elected. No one can talk to me about that. I cannot forbid anyone from expressing their views, but I very clearly ask for respect for BiH, for the sovereign equality of BiH. It is important that we build our interstate relations on the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and that we talk as good neighbors. In the last 10 years, the bridges of cooperation and friendship have been destroyed, it is time to strengthen these bridges and build new ones,” emphasizes Becirovic.
Moreover, he said that there was talk in Zagreb about the President of the RS, Milorad Dodik, as a “political threat to the entire region” because, as he says, he is making moves that are contrary to Dayton and the Constitution of BiH.
“I mentioned Dodik in the context of regional problems. He has really transformed from a political threat to a sure threat for the entire region. He cannot threaten BiH, but he can threaten the peace process. He is making moves that are contrary to Dayton and the Constitution of BiH. It is very important to warn about such things and try to prevent them,” said Becirovic.
In the interview, Becirovic also referred to the report of the Chairperson of the BiH Presidency, Zeljka Cvijanovic, before the United Nations (UN) Security Council, and pointed out that, in his opinion, the manner in which Cvijanovic spoke was questionable.
“I emphasize that question. Mrs. Cvijanovic was obliged to act as the chairwoman of the BiH Presidency, to present the state policy of BiH, not the entity policy, and she just did the latter… It is very important to send a positive message to the international community, in terms of respecting the constitutional competencies of BiH. I am afraid that in this respect the chairperson has gone beyond the scope of her competencies and acted as a representative of one entity, which is unacceptable. She should have acted exclusively on behalf of the state of BiH, representing the strategies adopted at the state level of BiH, and unanimously,” concluded Becirovic, and added that the practice of the Government of the RS submitting a report to the UN Security Council should also be stopped, because, as he says, that is malpractice.
In the end, Becirovic spoke about the state of Radio and Television of BiH (BHRT), and that he often draws attention to the problems faced by this public service.
“State bodies in BiH, each in their own way, should support BHRT. I especially expect the Council of Ministers and the Parliament to try, because these are their responsibilities. We already have a good part of the solution, which is to implement the Law on to Public Radio and Television System,” Becirovic explained.
