American-European Blow to Dodik via Belgrade

Brussels' pressure on Serbia to determine its foreign policy by the end of this year, either towards the European Union or towards Russia, will certainly reflect on the policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, or in the Bosnian-Herzegovinian entity of Republika Srpska. Analysts interpret the pressure on Belgrade partly as a response to the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, for holding an unconstitutional referendum in Republika Srpska on the day of this BiH entity.

The referendum on celebrating January 9 was held despite warnings from the European Union and the United States of America for the authorities to abandon the referendum, writes Patria.

The Serbian government, at the invitation of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, sent humanitarian aid to civilian victims of the war in the Syrian city of Aleppo, which is why the EU and NATO presented an ultimatum to the Serbian authorities. Serbian media reported that Belgrade was told from Brussels and Washington that they must align their foreign policy with the EU's policy and impose sanctions on Moscow no later than New Year. Brussels states that Serbia must clearly decide whether it will fully turn towards the European Union and NATO, or abandon its European path and turn to Russia.

It is clear that Serbia's position will also affect the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. If Belgrade's ties with Brussels or Belgrade's ties with NATO strengthen, the authorities from Republika Srpska will have to follow that path.

The meeting between the BiH Presidency member from the Serb people, Mladen Ivanić, and the US Ambassador Maureen Cormack, held on Wednesday in Sarajevo, is also indicative.

The BiH Presidency announced that one of the topics of the meeting between Ivanić and Cormack was the implementation of activities on drafting the Defense Review document. Both Ivanić and Cormack expressed hope that the mentioned document will be prepared in accordance with the agreed principles and within the foreseen deadline. This document should be adopted by the end of November this year at the latest. Among other things, the Defense Review document provides for the registration of military property to the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be a new, strong step for Bosnia and Herzegovina towards NATO, but also a strong blow to Dodik, writes Patria.