EU Delegation: Commissioner Varhelyi warned Dodik, did not support his plans

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The fact that BiH Presidency member and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik informed Commissioner Varhelyi during his visit to BiH on 24 and 25 November about his intention to convene a session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska on 10 December to initiate the process of withdrawing competencies, in no way implies that he received consent or approval for such plans. On the contrary, Commissioner Varhelyi opposed these plans, states a comment from the EU Delegation/Office of the EU Special Representative in BiH on the claims made in an article published by Istraga.ba.

"Commissioner Varhelyi's position on the withdrawal of competencies announced by the leadership of Republika Srpska was clearly expressed during this visit in his statements to the media. Commissioner Varhelyi emphasised that the plans of the Republika Srpska leadership to undermine state institutions would distance Bosnia and Herzegovina from alignment with the EU acquis and put the European path on hold. Furthermore, he pointed out that this would negatively affect the economy and citizens. The Commissioner reiterated this position in his conversation with Milorad Dodik a few days ago," it adds.

Commissioner Varhelyi, the comment writes, called on Milorad Dodik not to take any unilateral and irreversible steps towards undermining institutions at the state level.

"Although the conclusions adopted by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska on 10 December have no executive force, their mere adoption represents a further step down a dead-end path towards escalation. This position was reaffirmed in the joint statement of the Quint countries and the EU published on 10 December. The EU is fully committed to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina and rejects any plan that would undermine the constitutional framework of BiH," the Delegation/EUSR states.