The American Embassy again criticized the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, and stated in a statement that he does not cooperate with his partners and shifts responsibility to others.
The US Embassy stated that Milorad Dodik claims he is “ready for the EU”, but his embrace of Vladimir Putin and Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, his anti-Dayton rhetoric and actions, and attacks on state-level institutions, necessary to navigate the path Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic integrations refute Dodik’s claim.
“The integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into Euro-Atlantic institutions requires the collective efforts of all political actors. Instead of engaging in negotiations with his coalition ruling partners, Dodik continues to practice a policy of blockade and blackmail while trying to blame others for the lack of progress,” they stated.
They say that conditions 1+3 (Opening of negotiations with Frontex, Law on Prevention of Money Laundering, Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest and Law on Courts) set by the European Union are clear and easy to understand. The standards required to meet them are simple.
“The question for Dodik is whether he is ready to do the work necessary to fulfill these conditions, work that could and should have been completed months earlier. So far the answer is ‘no’. Dodik’s ultimatums do not reflect the true commitment of the EU,” they said.
In the end, they said that the main obstacle to the European future of BiH is Dodik and his destructive politics. Now, they say from the embassy, he wants to escape responsibility for his actions, but if Bosnia and Herzegovina does not take another step forward in March, it is clear whose fault it will be – Dodik.