Dodik: There will be no sanctions, by New Year laws on property issues and formation of the RS HJPC

BANJA LUKA, (Patria) - Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik held a press conference while the session of the National Assembly of the RS is ongoing. He said he expected the opposition to leave the session. 

"We heard them say there will be some war, conflict, that is not the policy of the RS. We are not sowing uniforms, but working to best regulate the defense system. That is frivolous politics. This majority will continue to work through institutions. We are moving towards withdrawing previously given consents," he stated.

He said that they are moving towards adopting laws by the New Year that will regulate the issue of property and form the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council at the level of the RS.

"The RS cannot be a self-service from which the speculative Constitutional Court of BiH will take what it thinks it should," Dodik added.

He believes the system functioned better when indirect taxes were at the entity level.

He added that after today's session and the vote of the majority representatives, the consents will be withdrawn, and that after that, the laws and decisions of the High Representative will not be valid at the level of the RS.

Asked whether he fears sanctions, Dodik is convinced there will be none.

"There will be no sanctions. I am one hundred percent sure. Russia, China, some other countries will not impose them, therefore there is no international community. What am I doing here that would warrant sanctions? We respect the Constitution. There is no need for me to be afraid, I was not elected to be a coward and to be afraid. Perhaps the RS will decide to reciprocate towards all those who announce sanctions. That we too will not allow their representative to come here. Not in the sense of showing power, but joking on that topic," he said.

Regarding the Armed Forces of BiH, Dodik said there are three proposals - to discuss in the next six months whether to form a structure in line with the positions of the RS, to adopt a law on the RS army, or a law on demilitarization.

Dodik then addressed the NSRS for the third time, where he stated that Mladen Ivanić boasted about transferring competencies in the areas of defense, the HJPC, and security.