Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and representative of the Dutch Labour Party Thijs Reuten published a series of messages on his Twitter profile in which he wants to explain the dangers of celebrating the unconstitutional day of the Republika Srpska (RS).
“Together with my colleague, Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) MEP Delara Burkhardt, I call on European Union (EU) Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi to act, before things go wrong,” Reuten wrote.
He clearly states that he does not want a new anti-constitutional parade to happen.
“We do not want the anti-constitutional parade to happen again on January 9th, like last year. Neither in Banja Luka nor anywhere else. We are extremely concerned about the announcement of the unconstitutional celebration of the founding of the RS, which is being organized in IstocnoSarajevo with the clear participation of RS officials and announced participation of the son of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic,” he pointed out.
Endangering the unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)
The European official demands the European Commission (EC) and the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to proactively engage.
“We require the EC and the OHR to engage with the relevant authorities to prevent unconstitutional marches and statements denying the genocide, to support the federal institutions of BiH, including prosecutors, and to take quick measures if necessary,” he said.
He added that the deliberate threat to the unity of BiH, by Milorad Dodik and his allies, and the continuation of Serbian destabilizing actions in the entire region, must stop.
Every year, the “holiday” of January 9th is misused to spread fear and terror through military marches and deepen ethnic divisions in the country. Judgments of the highest level are ignored, and judges of the Constitutional Court are insulted instead.
Clear messages sent from Germany too
This year, those responsible want to organize a march in IstocnoSarajevo. Member of the Bundestag and member of the EUAffairs Committee Boris Mijatovic explains that military flexing of muscles is not a good sign.
“For BiH, the path to Europe is clear. People in the country want development and a peaceful future. Every government must face these tasks. Instead, in BiH we are once again witnessing ethno-nationalist actors who, with big slogans, prefer the path of provocation and showing violence,” Mijatovic said.
He emphasizes that “Serbia’s path is special, however, it remains a historical impasse, which only results in instability and resentment in the region”.
“Whoever takes such actions does not serve the people, but only the interests of Russia. The ongoing conflicts in the region slow down any economic development, drive even more young people out of the countries, and lead to isolation and poverty. This is bad for coexistence on our continent and it clearly serves the wishes of Mr. Putin,” he concluded.
