Urgent formation of BiH legal and expert team to resolve the Trgovska Gora issue

(Patria) - We are aware of numerous socio-economic and other challenges, but the problem with the potential disposal of radioactive and other hazardous waste on the very border with Bosnia and Herzegovina is a completely new dimension of challenges that does not allow us the right to make a mistake. The conversion of Trgovska Gora into a kind of landfill for waste from the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, medical waste from all of Croatia, as well as other hazardous waste, is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
The non-governmental sector continuously contributes to this topic, and continuously calls for inter-sectoral dialogue within BiH and constructive approaches to solving this problem. Because of
this, we are pleased by the fact that parliaments at all levels of government have unanimously adopted an identical stance opposing this project by neighboring Croatia. The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina has also taken a clear and unified stance on this issue. The engagement of the Green Caucus of representatives at all levels of government is also noticeable.

We also do not forget the engagement of individuals who no longer hold office. State Minister Košarac, as well as entity ministers Golić and Đapo, have shown a high level of responsibility and readiness for the state to provide a concrete response to this problem. 

We welcome the address of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bisera Turković, at the 64th General Assembly of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), however, we must ask ourselves if that is enough!? 
 
It is a good path, but it is not enough. We are moving in a good direction, but too slowly. Time is not our ally in this situation, therefore we call on the Council of Ministers to urgently make a decision on the formation of an expert and legal team as a necessary step for a concrete and timely response from Bosnia and Herzegovina. We insist that the non-governmental sector also be included in the entire process, and that it be included in the work of the Coordination Body as a relevant actor in resolving this issue.

It is necessary to intensify diplomatic relations, but relying solely on talks would be naive and irresponsible towards the citizens - towards the citizens whose lives are at stake. Croatia has literally invested millions in realizing its intention to dispose of the aforementioned hazardous waste on the border with BiH, and will not give up on it just like that.
  
We repeat, we urgently need an expert team, so that based on their work, the legal team can form the case properly, and prepare the defense of our citizens' lives through legal means.