EC should suspend funds, BiH has not consented to the construction of the Pelješac Bridge

The SDA Presidency demands that all competent bodies in BiH intensify activities for BiH to become a member of the NATO alliance as soon as possible, writes Patria News Agency.

- BiH's membership in the NATO alliance is a guarantee for peace and stability for both BiH and the entire region – said Bakir Izetbegović, President of SDA.

He stated that a referendum on NATO in BiH is not necessary, and any entity referendums are particularly unacceptable because accession to NATO is a state issue and not an entity issue.

The SDA Presidency also called on the European Commission to suspend the allocation of loans to the Republic of Croatia for the construction of the Pelješac Bridge.

- We demand that the Republic of Croatia not begin construction until it resolves open issues with BiH. BiH has never given consent for the construction of the Pelješac Bridge, and without consent, it is illegal and constitutes a violation of binding international conventions. Especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Presidency of BiH has never given consent for the construction of the Pelješac Bridge – said Izetbegović.

He stated that there is a tendency to shift this entire issue to SDA.

- BiH institutions have very clear positions, not SDA – Izetbegović underlined, adding that SDA will fight for the sovereignty of BiH and its rights.

- Croatia must accept BiH's right to access the open sea and everything that belongs to us.

The European Commission has given BiH three months to declare itself on this issue. Izetbegović said he had “heard about it, but they were not informed”.

- I think the EC has not played an open and transparent game with us. That some impulses came from Sarajevo that we were not aware of. The EC here in Sarajevo should have delved deeply into the documents, the positions of BiH, and not so easily given the impulse that things are in order and that funds can be released. I will tell Wigemark this too – said Izetbegović.

The President of SDA stated that there is a position of the Presidency of BiH on this issue which is 10 years old, but until it is changed, it remains in force.

- If Čović wants to change it, he can propose it, and not act, or rather, he should not act outside of that position and represent the interests of Croatia and Zagreb.