Efendić: Council of Ministers finances Dodik's regime, they hold onto that embrace and don't let go!

(Patria) - Instead of the election of the Chairperson of the Municipal Council in the Sarajevo Municipality of Novi Grad proceeding smoothly without any hitches, given that the already agreed coalition of the Party for BiH, SDA, and DF has 19 out of 31 votes, everything suddenly fell apart at the constitutive session held.

The continuation of the Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipal Council session is scheduled for tomorrow. Semir Efendić, president of the Party for BiH, spoke about this, among other things, on the show 'Istraga sedmice' (Investigation of the Week) on Hayat TV.

- It's a strange situation. It was expected that an agreement would be reached between SDA and SBiH. In essence, it was. The Municipal Organization of Novi Grad Sarajevo did not follow the agreement reached at the cantonal level in proposing candidates for mayors who had DF and SBiH. There were several public and strange statements during the campaign. What is happening now is a consequence of that. Part of the structure cooperated with the opposing candidate from the 'Trojka' (Trio). The session is scheduled when a political agreement is reached. We proposed the session be on Friday, but 'Trojka' and SDA voted for Thursday. We will see what happens. We need a Council that will work effectively and without hitches. The Cantonal Organization of SDA has a meeting. Whatever happens, the Municipal Council has its role, and the mayor has theirs – said Efendić.

In the continuation of the conversation, Efendić commented on the relations between NIP and SDA.

- That is not unexpected. Local organizations have their own rules, and within parties, there are certain factions. NIP is ready for anything just to try to obstruct work. The session will show. The process of electing city councilors has not started – Efendić stated.

The president of the BiH entity of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, was examined in Belgrade in the afternoon due to acute pain, after which he was hospitalized. However, his trial is scheduled for tomorrow. Efendić believes this is a way of avoiding the proceedings.

He also touched upon the visit of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- Besides Serbia, the only country in the Balkans that has not recognized Kosovo is BiH, due to RS and their views that oppose it. We have a serious problem there. We have the possibility for solid economic cooperation. Kosovo is a friendly country to BiH. Both we and they are victims of Slobodan Milošević's regime, which claimed numerous lives and committed great massacres. Due to the behavior of RS, essential cooperation is hindered. We must find a way to achieve cooperation. They are more sovereign internally than we are. We have a seat at the UN. The fact that it angers RS is their problem, but historically, the situation is quite different. RS was created as a result of war crimes, while Kosovo was created to resolve war crimes. History is what creates states. Ultimately, Serbia will also recognize Kosovo. Our country is obliged to find a way to cooperate with Kosovo. We are in the most difficult position. This visit is useful. We cannot ignore the fact that next to us, there is a country that is friendly towards BiH – said Efendić.

He also commented on the current situation in the Canton of Sarajevo.

- The Canton of Sarajevo has taken on debts of 400-500 million KM for traffic, and there is a complete collapse. The traffic situation is getting harder and harder. No one is doing anything to expand traffic infrastructure. In the middle of 'winter,' we have the reconstruction of a part of Obala Kulina bana street, which is a lifeline. There are constant traffic jams – emphasized Efendić.

Regarding the relationship between 'Trojka', Čović, and Dodik, he said the following:

- The Council of Ministers finances Dodik's regime, which is under sanctions. Dodik has lost his fourth delegate in the House of Peoples. They hold onto that embrace and don't let go. I see that they enjoy meeting often. Their heating doesn't work in Parliament, so then they are at Dodik's in Banja Luka or Mostar – concluded Efendić.