EU parliamentarians condemn Dodik, call for sanctions and end to talks with ethno-nationalists

(Patria) - The European Parliament held a debate on the situation in BiH tonight.

Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission, called for dialogue in BiH. He said that citizens are very concerned.

“The EU is monitoring the situation in BiH. We are committed to BiH’s EU perspective. We hope that all parties will start working together so that BiH can make progress on the EU path.”

Andrey Kovatchev from the EPP group (Bulgaria) said that sustainable solutions need to be found not only for the election law but also for all other issues such as security and social issues important to citizens.

“We need to send a strong signal of EU support to BiH. Milorad Dodik is sending a bad signal by announcing the withdrawal of consent from state institutions, which leads to tensions,” he said.

Pedro Marques from Portugal pointed out that Janez Janša and Viktor Orbán are meeting with Milorad Dodik.

“They are playing with fire and that is unacceptable. The EU must not remain silent; it must exert pressure, even use sanctions. The Western Balkans hopes for a peaceful future in the EU.”

Klemen Grošelj from Slovenia said that a clear message must be sent to Dodik.

“This is not just an attack on the region; blocking institutions not only threatens peace in the region but also the interests of the EU. We cannot allow the madness of nationalism to prevail. We must react immediately, including sanctions. We must ensure that institutions work to implement further reforms. Neither Dodik nor we will decide on the future of BiH; the citizens will decide in the elections. They must take power away from people like Dodik,” Grošelj said.

Tineke Strik from the Greens group (Netherlands) pointed out that BiH is trapped by corruption, ethno-nationalist politics, and rhetoric.

“Dayton is under pressure today. Dodik is playing a dangerous game, threatening the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH. I have asked EU ministers for sanctions and the entire international community to stop talking to those who promote divisive rhetoric,” Strik said.

Italian representative Fabio Massimo Castaldo called for sanctions against Milorad Dodik.

Michael Gahler CDU Germany said that the threats coming from Milorad Dodik are not just threats to peace in BiH but to the entire region.

“That threat has a name: Milorad Dodik. I don't know why the Council couldn't name it on November 15th. He is supported by Belgrade and Moscow. Are you willing to impose sanctions against Milorad Dodik? We need to hear that clearly,” Gahler said.

Tonino Picula, European Parliament rapporteur for recommendations on the Western Balkans, stated in his address to the European Parliament that the deep political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been further exacerbated by the increasingly provocative and secessionist moves of Milorad Dodik.

According to him, this time he is threatening the adoption of the budget, the appointment of ambassadors, and even donations of coronavirus vaccines.

“His direct violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, denial of genocide, opening of a foundation for convicted war criminals, and threats of secession require our stronger condemnation and a more active role towards BiH in general,” Picula emphasized.

According to him, the current phase of destabilization of BiH with external support from Belgrade, Moscow, but also Budapest, can have serious consequences for the stability of the entire region.

“Unfortunately, the lack of vision and the stagnation of the EU enlargement policy are accompanied by a gradual loss of credibility, which further strengthens various anti-democratic political projects in the Western Balkans. In general, there is a danger of many chronic crises in the election year 2022. But while we seek respect and possible upgrades to Dayton, we must not negate some of its key provisions. Therefore, negotiations on a new Election Law, which should finally respect the decisions of the BiH Constitutional Court, are of utmost importance,” Picula said.

Romeo Franz, a Member of the European Parliament from Germany, said that Dodik is trying to destabilize the country with the support of Vučić and Putin.

“This is a geopolitical problem. The EU and the international community must act decisively and use the possibility of sanctions against Dodik. Let's stop negotiations with ethno-nationalists. They haven't moved the country forward in 26 years. Territorial integrity must not be questioned; peace in the country is in the interest of all citizens in BiH, but also in the interest of all of us,” Franz said.

Several MEPs from Croatia emphasized the Election Law and the rights of constituent peoples.

“The rhetoric in BiH takes us back to the 90s. Territorial integrity is a vital message we hear today. No one has the right to stop the country's path to the EU. We must be strong in our actions,” said one of the Croatian representatives.

Dietmar Koster from Germany said that BiH is in its worst political crisis since the war.

“Dodik persistently calls for the independence of Republika Srpska and says he will form an army. All these activities lead to destabilization. We reject the denial of genocide; we must support BiH in holding fair elections and its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Tanja Fajon, an MEP from Slovenia, said that the country is in one of the biggest crises it has faced.

“They must adopt amendments to the Constitution and the Election Law. No unilateral operation by one entity must be stopped. Politicians like Milorad Dodik must be clearly stopped in their divisive rhetoric. The EU must use all its means and sanctions. Only if we act quickly can we prevent further escalation,” Fajon said.

At the end of the debate, Commissioner Dombrovskis addressed again, reiterating that BiH has a clear EU perspective.

“Progress can be achieved through dialogue, but for that, a return to BiH institutions is necessary. The focus should be on reforms. And that will be one of the messages from Commissioner Varhelyi.”

Anže Logar, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that politicians in BiH must ensure that they do not use divisive rhetoric.

“We call on them for reconciliation; revisionism or denial of genocide or support for war criminals is against EU values and is not compatible with EU membership. This region must remain stable,” Logar said.

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