Minister Kosarac: The Issue of Radioactive Waste Landfill near BiH Border will be considered by the EU

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Stasa Kosarac, will send a request to the Subcommittee for Transport, Energy, Environment and Regional Development between the European Union and BiH to consider the construction of a radioactive waste and spent nuclear landfill on Trgovska Gora at its session in May.

Minister Kosarac pointed out that this step is one in a series of activities undertaken by the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, in coordination with the relevant entity ministries, in order to inform the competent institutions in Brussels and joint EU and BiH bodies within the Stabilization and Association Agreement.

”During the continuous consultations with the EU Delegation, we agreed to delegate this issue to the agenda of the upcoming session of the Subcommittee in May. Our obligation and responsibility is to protect the health of citizens from the municipalities in the Una Valley, as well as the natural environment. It is a zero priority that we will not give up. That is why we want to actively involve official Brussels and ask for the necessary help in preventing Croatia from building a disputed landfill in the immediate vicinity of the border,” said Kosarac.

He announced that BiH would submit the requested documentation so that the European Commission could consider the next steps at the session of the Subcommittee on Transport, Energy, Environment and Regional Development.

”We will also use this opportunity to inform our European partners about the united position of all competent institutions in BiH on the opposition to Croatia’s intention to dispose of the disputed waste in our yard. We are determined to, with the help of the EU, insist that Croatia give up Trgovska gora as a potential location for the construction of a landfill,” Kosarac emphasized.

He expressed his commitment to continue building good neighborly relations with Croatia, and said that it was necessary to seek a diplomatic solution for the benefit of 250,000 citizens, who are endangered by the construction of a radioactive waste disposal site and spent nuclear fuel on Trgovska Gora.

”That is the reason why I again appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH to make additional efforts and fully activate the diplomatic-consular network in resolving this issue. It is inadmissible for Trgovska gora to be the subject of politicization, because we must not calculate with the health of our citizens and the preservation of the natural environment,” concluded Kosarac, Biznis.ba writes.