Granas: Project suspensions in Republika Srpska due to Milorad Dodik are still in effect

(Patria) - It is no secret that certain German measures are still in effect and some projects are suspended in Republika Srpska, and this is related to the statements and actions of Milorad Dodik, the president of SNSD.

This was stated in an interview for "Nezavisne" by Alfred Granas, the German Ambassador to BiH, who visited Banja Luka on Monday.

"The problem is not only secessionist statements, but also insults that are sometimes made in the public space. On the other hand, we also see certain positive developments – some laws have been withdrawn, one has been declared invalid by the Constitutional Court. So, there is some progress. But, unfortunately, the rhetoric continues," Granas stated.

Asked if the previous government of Savo Minić was legitimate for Germany, he answered affirmatively.

"In Germany, we decided that as long as a constitutional institution – primarily the Constitutional Court – does not make a decision that it is unconstitutional, we treat that government as legitimate," he explained.

You are in Banja Luka today (Monday), so the first question is: what are your impressions of the city and whom did you meet during your visit?

GRANAS: It is always nice to be in a sunny place – then everything looks brighter and more pleasant. But even without that, I must say that I like Banja Luka. As for the meetings, we met with the Prime Minister. We only found out five minutes before we arrived that he had resigned, but we still had the meeting.

Did he mention that to you during the conversation? Did he explain the reasons?

GRANAS: He explained that certain doubts had arisen regarding the legality of the previous government and the process of its appointment. Therefore, they wanted to be completely sure that everything was legally clean, so he decided to resign. The impression I got is that he will probably be reappointed as prime minister in a relatively short period. In that case, he would be appointed by the president who was recently confirmed by the Central Election Commission as the legitimate president of Republika Srpska.

Were there any doubts in German diplomacy or the government regarding the legitimacy of that government? The Prime Minister hinted at a press conference that the international community considered his government perhaps not entirely legitimate.

GRANAS: The term "acting president", under which he was appointed, is indeed not in the Constitution. But, on the other hand, the Constitution also does not contain a provision stating that such a construction is not possible. In transitional phases, such solutions sometimes emerge. In Germany, we decided that as long as a constitutional institution – primarily the Constitutional Court – does not make a decision that it is unconstitutional, we treat that government as the legitimate government of Republika Srpska. In this sense, the situation is now even clearer than before because the new prime minister will be elected in parliament and confirmed by the president.