EU denies Varhelyi agreed on National Assembly session with Dodik

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano rejected statements by certain politicians from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as media reports, about an alleged agreement between European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi and the authorities of the Republika Srpska entity regarding the holding of a special session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.

- The EU's position regarding the session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (NSRS) held on December 10, 2021, was clearly expressed in Commissioner Varhelyi's statements during his visit to BiH. As Commissioner Varhelyi previously emphasized, the dismantling of state institutions would take BiH further away from alignment with the EU acquis and put its path to the EU on hold - Peter Stano, spokesperson for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told Radio Free Europe (RSE).

At that session, unconstitutional transfer of competencies from the state to the Republika Srpska entity level was initiated. Stano emphasized that this would negatively affect businesses and, most importantly, the citizens of BiH.

- This position was reconfirmed in the joint statement of the Quint and the EU published on December 10, where we very clearly emphasized that the NSRS conclusions are a step of escalation and a dead end - Stano emphasized.

He reiterated that the EU is unequivocally committed to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH, the country's clear and credible European perspective, as well as to facilitating dialogue and resolving the current political crisis.

- Any claims to the contrary are untrue. In general, I can only state that reporting by embassies/delegations to headquarters on internal developments in the host country, meetings or visits is a natural and integral part of daily diplomatic work and is regularly carried out - Stano emphasized.