Čović on Božović: Any stance of SNSD is acceptable to me

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Dragan Čović, Chairman of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said after the session of the Joint Collegium of both houses of the PA BiH that proposals for candidates for joint commissions have been established, which will be appointed by the House of Peoples and the House of Representatives of the PA BiH.

Čović said that the appointment of Mladen Božović was not a topic at this session, but that now, after returning to the hall, they will discuss it.

"Any stance of SNSD is acceptable to me, and a candidate goes through procedures through our commissions that are legally responsible, regardless of who it is. Anything proposed by SNSD, and also by colleagues from SDA, that fits within the legal framework should not be opened for discussion," said Čović.

Mladen Božović (DNS), candidate for Minister of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, did not receive the support of the majority of members of the Commission for Preparation of Elections of the Council of Ministers of BiH to recommend him to the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH for that position.

The Central Election Commission announced on December 18 that it was determined that Božović meets all the necessary conditions for appointment prescribed by the Election Law of BiH.

Božović, who was proposed on behalf of the Democratic People's Alliance, also passed the necessary checks by the Agency for Investigation and Protection (SIPA) of BiH.

The House of Representatives confirmed on December 23 the appointment of other ministers in the Council of Ministers, while Božović's confirmation was postponed because the necessary checks by SIPA had not been completed by the session.