The High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Christian Schmidt, is also in Dubrovnik, where he is participating in the “Dubrovnik Forum”, where the future of the Western Balkans on the path to the European Union (EU) is discussed.
Commenting on the situation in BiH, Schmidt said that there is progress at the state level and that some important decisions have been adopted, but that the entire work and effort is hampered by the behavior of certain politicians, especially Milorad Dodik.
“I think we can make a positive change in BiH. Dodik is becoming worse and worse. I don’t know what drugs he uses, but it seems that it is a drug of pride that does not give him the power to judge political reality. We must keep the Dayton Peace Agreement not only alive but as a basis for improvement on the path to EU integration. Here, it is a matter of creating an environment for young people where they want to stay, live, and have answers to some questions,” said Schmidt.
He also said that Dodik is aggressively testing the Dayton Agreement with his actions.
“I must say that he lives in a dream world. We will not relent when it comes to the violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The ‘killing’ of the Constitutional Court, which is one of the most important institutions in the country, will not be accepted. I hope that he understands that he has a chance to show that he is constructive and I hope that he will show that in the coming weeks,” the High Representative points out.
When it comes to the decisions he made, the High Representative explained how he was forced to do so.
“I had to do it. If I had accepted that someone would not accept the court’s decisions, it would have endangered ordinary people. Milorad Dodik is trying to transform Republika Srpska (RS) into Transnistria. We will not allow this to happen and I am counting on the support not only of the international community but also of the neighboring countries. Being in Dubrovnik encourages me because of that,” Schmidt explained.
Finally, he referred to the continued use of his powers as High Representative.
“There are other tools that are being discussed. I am not one of those who announce but do not act. As a matter of fact, sometimes I do not announce, but act. Sometimes in BiH, you have to use other mechanisms due to the very specific situation,” concluded the High Representative Christian Schmidt, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
