The special envoy of the German Government for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin, is visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina(BiH), and a meeting with the President of the Republika Srpska(RS), Milorad Dodik, is also planned. Sarazzin told about the upcoming meeting, the suspended projects, but also about Dodik’s announcements that he will ban the high representative of BiH, Christian Schmidt, from entering the RS.
“It is important for us to give a signal because of Dodik’s secessionist policy. We do not see ourselves in a position to continue the four strategic projects, we will have to suspend them. I think it is bad when such measures are not discussed. And that is why we said that we will suspend the projects. Still, it’s strange to make such measures and not talk about it. You have to understand that German taxpayers expect when Germany enters into such projects that they are safe,” said Sarrazin.
He repeated that due to secessionist announcements and measures that came from RS, it is not possible for them to finance projects.
“With other mine clearance projects, and in social areas, we will remain active in the RS”, he added.
He expressed that they hope to talk sincerely with Dodik.
“He certainly won’t say that he likes the federal government, and I will certainly tell him what I don’t like about his politics,” he pointed out.
Dodik said two days ago that High Representative Schmidt will not be able to enter RS from next week. Sarrazin was asked what Germany thinks of it.
“Until now, I could not read his exact wording, but if it is true, we firmly refuse. It is unconstructive and irresponsible how Dodik refers to the position of the high representative with that statement, and that way of conversation is not going anywhere. That says more about Dodik. It is not right and we are against it, and we will not allow it,” Sarrazin explained, N1 reports.
E.Dz.
