Dodik: Republika Srpska should get the position of chief negotiator with the EU

(Patria) - President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik believes that Republika Srpska should get the position of chief negotiator with the EU.

He welcomed the announcement of BiH obtaining negotiating status, although, as he stated, without a specific date for the opening of negotiations, it does not mean much.

- The European path has been supported by SNSD through its activities and we are part of the agreement. We believe that SNSD also deserves some gratitude - stated the leader of SNSD after the session of the Executive Committee of that party in Banja Luka.

Dodik reminded that an action plan at the BiH level regarding negotiations with the EU was adopted earlier.

- It was agreed that the Law on the Constitutional Court would be submitted in April. The removal of foreign judges and unelected foreigners is part of the 14 priorities set for BiH - Dodik told reporters.

SNSD has always been in favor of resolving the 14 priorities immediately, says Dodik, and emphasizes that "the issue of the status of the High Representative and the Constitutional Court cannot be skipped".

- We demand the implementation of all agreements with partners in the FBiH. It should remain that Republika Srpska elects two judges to the Constitutional Court of BiH, and that three domestic judges, who would replace the foreigners, are elected by the Parliamentary Assembly instead of the European Court. We stand by that - Dodik stated.

He also points out that the SNSD Executive Committee emphasized the need for full respect of the coordination mechanism, and added that he believes Republika Srpska should get the position of chief negotiator.

- The minister is Bosniak, the deputy is Croat. All parties are satisfied in the negotiation process when it comes to FBiH. We will seek that - Dodik underlined.

And when it comes to global relations, he said that the policies of great powers determine the situation of small nations and states, but that he does not see anything in the region that could threaten security.