The United States of America (U.S.) has published the first names of sanctioned persons and companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) for crime, corruption, and attacks on the state. It is expected that the list will expand, but that many countries of the European Union (EU) will follow the procedure of the U.S. and, independently of the EU, will impose sanctions on Milorad Dodik and related natural and legal persons.
The EU Council will meet in mid-January and will not make any decision on sanctions at the union level. The reason is primarily the lack of consensus due to the previously known opposition of Hungary, but also some other countries that are not in favor of sanctions against Dodik and others. But, that does not mean that there will be no reaction from Europe this time.
According to the announcements, some of the key members should follow the U.S. and impose sanctions on the president of the SNSD, as well as related persons and companies.
Given that the U.S. has already harmonized the policy of sanctions with the EU, and especially with certain countries, it is likely that the blacklist for Dodik and others will expand in many European countries. The countries that, according to earlier messages and expectations, should follow the U.S.sanctions are Great Britain, and from the EU, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Austria, Spain, and the Czech Republic.
The Baltic states could also join the sanctions. Some members are neutral, and several are against it.
And unlike previous U.S. sanctions against Dodik, which were directed exclusively against him and related to the ban on travel to the U.S. and the blockade of property in that country, now the story is somewhat different. The sanctions are broader and apply to some related companies, which can have significant financial consequences.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said earlier, and the other day further confirmed that the country will follow the U.S. in everything.
“Efforts to secede are unacceptable, and these demands mean that, so I have lobbied here to impose sanctions on the current regime and against Mr. Dodik,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters after meeting with EU colleagues in Brussels in mid-December.
Almost identical messages come from the Netherlands. The introduction of sanctions by some European countries, especially in the context of certain companies, could be a big blow to Dodik and his associates. This is especially related to the Austrian or German sanctions.
E.Dz.
Source: Klix.ba
