Čović: The Election Law is next, we cannot just confirm the decisions of the Trojka, but make them together

(Patria) - A meeting of delegations from HDZ and the Trojka parties on the current political situation was held in Mostar at the HDZ BiH headquarters.

"We primarily met to analyze and assess the situation at the FBiH level. We went through all the topics we have been discussing for a long time, and I believe that in a few days, more things will happen through the Governments and parliaments. Regarding the BiH level and the situation, the main emphasis is that we must ensure peace and stability in BiH through our political actions and facilitate institutions to do their job and not close the door to the European path. The third issue we are putting on the agenda is the issue of equal rights of the three constituent peoples in BiH and that everything we had in the previous agreement be translated into a new partnership or coalition agreement, which would mean that we will sit down with partners from RS very soon and see what our common ground is and that there is no fear, and we communicate this internally and find a way to unblock the work of the Council of Ministers of BiH," said Čović.

The Prime Minister of FBiH and the President of SDP BiH, Nermin Nikšić, said that the Government of FBiH functions as one body.

"The key is maintaining peace and stability. We are aware of the shortcomings of the system and ourselves at this moment and in what is happening. It is important that we prevent any incidents, because they cannot be contained as just incidents. We, as the political parties of the Trojka, have had somewhat more intensive talks with the opposition from RS, and we are glad that HDZ will also talk, and we will continue this communication with one goal: to agree again on what we had as an agreement with previous partners. Representatives of the international community have recognized our work, and instead of continuing it, we have now hit a wall. Our key goal is to ensure peace, the functioning of institutions, the adoption of these two laws, and the adoption of the Budget in order to show our partners in the EU that despite the problems we have, the country continues to function," said Nikšić.

Čović said that they want peace and stability, that institutions function, and to continue all Euro-Atlantic integrations.

"The Election Law is just a small element in these integrations. In the new agreement, this will be defined as seriousness for the job we are undertaking," said Čović.

Nikšić said that the issue of expelling SNSD is not a matter of desire, but they expelled themselves with the moves they made.

"We have shown breadth before, that we have trust in each other, and even when we don't think about some things in the same way, we can bring our positions closer. I don't see why anything would change now in the relationship of these parties that were present today," said Nikšić.

Čović said that the moment the Constitution is violated and the institutions of BiH are undermined, we have effectively stopped functioning.

"Today, we have neither a Council of Ministers that can work normally, nor a House of Peoples, nor a House of Representatives. We protect our partners, and it will continue to be so. I cannot build relationships any other way. These challenges we face can undermine the interest of people who want to invest. I am trying to instill some confidence in people, to visit areas where there are Croats and encourage them. Everything we do will be in the context of peace and stability. Never expect me to criticize someone; I am not that kind of politician. I will point out in a decent way that something is not right," said Čović.

He confirmed that he will hold a meeting with the opposition from RS tomorrow.

"There is something called an election result. We must respect the institutions of BiH again. I did not defend myself because I accepted that people have their own stance. Let everyone do their job. There is no need to worry about the European path, we just need enough European partners to recognize us as a place that interests them," said Čović.

He noted that laws must be respected.

"Laws have regulated the functioning of the legislative and executive authorities. Destruction must not cause further destruction. You need to know how the 42 deputies and 15 delegates in the House of Peoples were established. We can only change something in the Council of Ministers, but there are procedures. The path we are looking for is this one. So that no one says we kicked someone out of power. Someone expels themselves from the agreement we have reached. What if we fail to make a new agreement, what is behind that? That is why we said today, let's first protect FBiH," said Čović.

Speaking about the proposal to appoint Nebojša Vukanović as Minister of Security, Čović said, "first we need to agree on what we will do before we play with personnel solutions."

"I also spoke with the previous partner, saying don't make decisions and then inform us. If we are partners, let's agree, make a decision, and then implement it together. The same applies to the Trojka, don't call us to confirm your decisions. If we are partners, then we should consult. If we reach a situation where we make a new agreement, then we will sit down and discuss personnel solutions. Until then, those solutions are not on the table as far as HDZ is concerned. If we reach such a situation, we need to see who are the people who can come to certain positions they haven't held before, regardless of who it is," said Čović.

Speaking about the Election Law of BiH, Čović said that the seriousness of the partnership will also be shown there.

"Our seriousness will be tested on these matters. We have a year and five months left until the next elections. One of the issues we have not realized is the issue of the Election Law. It hasn't been on the table until now, but I told them let's start resolving it slowly. Trust is strengthened here; if someone thinks it's good to have two Bosniak members of the BiH Presidency, I respect that, but I won't agree with it. We will resolve it slowly, but I think you have understood the context," said Čović.