Dodik in the National Assembly of RS: The construction of the Pelješac Bridge is in the interest of Republika Srpska

(Patria) - The fifth special session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska is being held in Banja Luka, and on the adopted agenda is one item, the Proposal of the Decision on Confirmation of the Statement of the Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from Republika Srpska, concerning the Conclusion on the acceptance of the Official Position of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding the continuation of the construction of the Komarna – Pelješac bridge by the Republic of Croatia.

Milorad Dodik stated that the place for decisions on important issues is not the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the National Assembly of RS, as is the case today.

"No decision made by outvoting can be considered adopted until the procedure prescribed by the constitution is completed. Since, as a member of the Presidency, I could not agree with the conclusion adopted by the other two members of the Presidency, I am initiating the protection of the entity's interest," said Dodik.

Dodik cited an article of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina which states that a member of the Presidency who disagrees with a decision can declare the Presidency's decision destructive to the vital interest of the entity from which they were elected, provided that they do so within three days of its adoption.

"This cited provision of the Constitution was already used by Nebojša Radmanović, who was outvoted in four cases, and in all four cases, the National Assembly of RS challenged the Presidency's decisions that did not enter into force. BiH was created on the basis of the Dayton Agreement. The subject of today's protection is the protection of the vital interest of the entity. BiH was established by a peace agreement and its annexes and can only exist and remain on the basis of an agreement as foreseen by that peace agreement. BiH is a community of entities, not a unitary state," said Dodik.

"Having considered all potential consequences of such a decision, I will do everything to protect the interest of our entity. The adoption of such a position would be harmful to the entire BiH, including RS, and therefore I leave it to the National Assembly of RS," said Dodik.

He added that "here comes the key question: do we, who advocate for no one to interfere in our internal affairs, have the right to interfere in the internal affairs of Croatia, which is building a bridge on its territory?".