Dodik: We will offer partners a Law on the Constitutional Court of BiH, the departure of foreign judges is also an EU demand

(Patria) - Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik said at today's press conference that the Law on Non-application of Decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH will be definitive until the Law on the Constitutional Court of BiH is passed, which will regulate its composition and mode of operation.

Commenting on Christian Schmidt's statement that this law is illegal, Dodik emphasized that only Schmidt is illegal here.

"He is the High Representative for FBiH anyway. Not for RS. His decisions will not be respected. Republika Srpska demands that things be done according to the letter of the BiH Constitution. RS is not implementing and has no secession plan, but if it is forced by their decisions to leave BiH, it will do so," said Dodik.

The SNSD president confirmed that a meeting of coalition partners will be held tomorrow in Konjic.

"We will also discuss these topics. But we also have open issues. I will request the appointment of the Minister of Finance and Treasury, as this position is vacant, we have problems with the distribution of money. Since 2012, we have not been able to withdraw 35 million KM," said Dodik.

Member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović said that tomorrow she will have a proposal to find a solution for each of the 14 EU priorities.

"We have 14 issues and everyone participating in the government needs to sit down and find common solutions. This is how we will solve all other issues. If we are for the European path, then the issue of foreign judges in the Constitutional Court of BiH must also be resolved. I think the time has come to play with open cards and see who is for the European path. Should they keep us in candidate status for 20 years? We expect those who swear by BiH's European path to ensure progress when it comes to adopting laws," said Cvijanović.

Dodik said that at tomorrow's meeting he will present the proposal for the adoption of the Law on the Constitutional Court of BiH, that there remain nine judges, but that three be from RS, and that all must participate in the quorum for decision-making, and in decisions, if five votes are needed, one must be from RS.

"We will hear what they think. If we propose it again, it would be stopped at the Constitutional-Legal Commission. If they don't want it, the situation will remain as it is. We do not trust judges who come from SDA and foreign judges. We will remain firm on this. We are not rushing them. These 14 priorities state that the Constitutional Court must be reconstructed and the issue of foreign judges resolved. We want to resolve the priorities, but if one issue is not agreed upon, then nothing is agreed upon," he said.

Cvijanović said that if there is political will, July and August can be enough to define solutions, and September to adopt everything.

"October for the EU to give a positive opinion and December to start negotiations. This is a fair offer, and one of the reforms is the departure of foreign judges. Among other things, there are very painful things," said Cvijanović.