The special envoy of the government of the Federal Republic of Germany for the countries of the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarazzin, addressed the media today after a meeting with the president of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entity of the RS Milorad Dodik in Banja Luka.
Sarazzin said that during the previous days in Sarajevo, he had excellent talks with High Representative Christian Schmidt and officials.
“Just now, here in Banja Luka, I spoke with the President of the Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik. We talked about the continuation of the process of regional economic integration of the Western Balkans within the framework of the Berlin process. The ratification of the third agreement on mobility, which has not yet been reached, is of key importance for this , as well as the joining of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Regional Declaration on Energy Security,” said Sarazzin.
In addition, Sarazzin states, he once again explained to Dodik the reasons for the successive and contractual completion of four large projects in Republika Srpska financed by Germany.
“In doing so, we were guided by two different aspects. Firstly, as regards the political crisis caused by officials in the Republika Srpska, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany, unfortunately, had no political space. Conducting a secessionist policy, attacks on the state institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina , the media and civil society as well as the High Representative Christian Schmidt have consequences,” added Sarazzin.
That is why, as he points out, they made the decision to end four important infrastructure projects with a total value of 105 million euros, among which, among others, is the purification of waste water in Gradiška.
“Secondly, Germany stands firmly with all the people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Considering the current political crisis, we especially care about the people of Republika Srpska. That is why Germany will continue the implementation of all other projects, such as cooperation with civil society, projects in the field of social care or humanitarian aid, if there is a need for it. The key to continued cooperation in other areas is in the hands of Mr. Dodik. That’s what I told him once again today,” Sarazzin added.
He concluded that he, like the entire government of the Federal Republic of Germany, wants Bosnia and Herzegovina to become a member of the European Union.
“However, this requires a different policy. Secessionist politics, attacks on the state institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as on the High Representative and narrowing of the freedom of the media and civil society are unacceptable and will not lead this country to the EU. We firmly support High Representative Christian Schmidt I made that clear to Mr. Dodik again,” Sarazzin concluded, Klix.ba reports.
