Čović: Either an agreement by December 17 or the deal is no longer valid

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Dragan Čović, president of HDZ BiH, told reporters today that his expectations from the meeting with Bakir Izetbegović, leader of SDA, have been met.

"We had a pleasant conversation, Izetbegović presented the positions of SDA, I said that we need to implement the agreement we signed together in Mostar," Čović said.

He added that they have an obligation to finalize this by December 17 regarding Mostar and the City Council, and then next year in Parliament to finalize the story about the Election Law.

"Colleague Izetbegović advocates for a problem-solving approach by appointing ministers in the FBiH Government. It seems to me that SDA still has a stance of agreeing, but not reaching an agreement," said Čović.

When asked to comment on Izetbegović's statement that there will be no talks about the Election Law until the FBiH Government is appointed, Čović said that they signed that they must agree by December 17.

"Our position is that we must do it within that time, otherwise the agreement is not valid," said Čović.

When asked if the FBiH Government could be appointed first, and then the BiH Election Law, Čović said of course it could.

"But you must have partners for such a conversation. I understand colleague Izetbegović, he has three unfilled positions in the current Federal government, but you have many other problems, I am not sure that is possible at this moment," said Čović.

Speaking about the appointment of the OSA leadership, Čović said that if leadership is proposed, then a whole package should be proposed.

"Regarding the appointment of the OSA director, I am in favor of appointing according to legal standards, not the way we appointed the Central Election Commission (CIK)," said Čović.