MEPs welcome Dodik verdict: Refrain from political threats and other harmful actions

(Patria) - Members of the European Parliament Ondřej Kolář (EPP, Czech Republic) and Davor Ivo Stier (EPP, Croatia) have welcomed the first-instance verdict of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina against RS President Milorad Dodik.

In a joint statement, Kolář and Stier said that Bosnia and Herzegovina is an independent and sovereign state, whose territorial integrity is not in question.

"We have taken note of the decision of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is subject to appeal, and we emphasise the importance of full respect for the institutions of BiH and the independence of its judiciary.

We consider the unprecedented pressure on the judiciary and the intimidation of judges ahead of today's verdict unacceptable," Kolář and Stier stated.

They recalled the clear messages sent in recent days by the EU Delegation to BiH, the Office of the High Representative, the OSCE Mission to BiH, and the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board.

"We call on all actors in BiH to show maximum restraint following today's decision and to refrain from political threats and other potentially harmful actions," they said.

They added that the European Parliament has repeatedly called for targeted sanctions against political actors who destabilise BiH and threaten its sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order, including Dodik and other high-ranking RS officials and third parties supporting secessionist policies.

"Instead of spreading divisions and adopting measures and laws that would clearly violate the Constitution of BiH, the RS leadership should focus on the urgent steps necessary for BiH's progress on its EU path," Kolář and Stier stated.