MEP Tineke Strik warned High Representative Christian Schmidt last night to dismiss Milorad Dodik because he threatens the independence of Republika Srpska, i.e. the disintegration of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
She said in the Face TV program that if the high representative does not do what he can, the EU will have to use its powers. She cited the example of rewarding Dragan Čović with amendments to the Electoral Law after he threatened, and pointed out that this should not be repeated with Dodik.
“If rewards are threatened and blackmailed, then you can only get more threats and blackmail. Maybe Dodik is misled by what Čović got from Schmidt, so he tries too. Schmidt has lost credibility, he must be neutral. If the Coalition of Eight is silent, it gives a signal that Dodik can continue with secessionist threats and open the possibility to make it happen. This is the right moment to act and show Dodik that his behavior is not acceptable. The adoption of secessionist laws is not legal. RS does not have the possibility to legally leave state institutions. Schmidt should react to Dodik’s secessionist moves, maybe to remove Dodik from office,” said Strik.
She also pointed out that apart from the secessionist outbursts, it is also problematic that Dodik is friendly towards Vladimir Putin, from whom he expects to receive protection, and in return he will receive greater influence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“He’s still flirting with Putin, he’s on the wrong side of history,” she said.
She also commented on Dodik’s adoption of the law against NGOs, the criminalization of defamation, and the attack on LGBT activists in Banja Luka.
“The effects of his laws are not only problematic in practice but call for violence. If this continues, it will only create problems for Bosnia and Herzegovina and alienate it from the EU,” she said.
She stated that the EU may respond by not giving him any money until he withdraws the secessionist laws and distances himself from Putin.
In addition, she commented on the need to increase NATO forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina by increasing the number of members in Brčko District, however, she is not sure whether there will be enough support from the international community for such a thing, Klix.ba reports.
