Izetbegović and Čović: No doubts about NATO path

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Following a meeting of the SDA and HDZ BiH delegations in Sarajevo today, party presidents Bakir Izetbegović and Dragan Čović addressed the media. Izetbegović stated that another step has been taken towards entering a coalition at all levels. 

"It started with the cantons and moved on," Izetbegović stated. He added that after SDP refused to join the government, space was created to form a coalition with other parties.

"The priorities discussed at the meeting were the EU, BiH's NATO path, economic progress, and the rapid creation of jobs."

The SDA president said that the goal is to stop the emigration of young people. It was emphasized that the Houses of Peoples should be formed next week. Dragan Čović stated that they discussed the cooperation between these two parties, foreign policy, and the formation of government. 

"Regarding party cooperation, it is necessary for the progress and preservation of BiH. Regarding the EU path, there is no alternative for us; it is a priority for us, regardless of what the media writes. There are no doubts about BiH's path to NATO." 

Čović stated that everything would proceed faster if the Election Law had been amended.

"At lower levels, regarding the formation of government, everything is going well. I see no reason why the Council of Ministers should not be formed. As for the federal level, as soon as the Central Election Commission completes its part of the work, the budget should be adopted. This will relieve those who are worried that we will not be able to meet our obligations," Čović said. It was emphasized that socio-economic policy will be a priority in the work of the new government.

Responding to questions about whether PDA, SBB, and A-sda would be the fourth partner, Čović stated that he had spoken with Milorad Dodik and Fahrudin Radončić, but that he could not speak about the Bosniak bloc or who would constitute that component.

Izetbegović announced a meeting with SBB, A-sda, and PDA. 

"We will talk with them, but we will not invite them into the government as a bloc. We will talk with them individually," Izetbegović said.

Responding to the question of how they intend to resolve the issue with the Serb partner SNSD regarding the NATO path, Čović stated that dialogue is necessary and that everything can be resolved through discussion.

Izetbegović stated that the activation of the Membership Action Plan (MAP) is not NATO membership, and he hopes that SNSD will abandon its conditions. A joint meeting of the SDA, HDZ, and SNSD delegations was also announced, but before that, a meeting of the presidents of these three parties, Izetbegović, Čović, and Dodik, will be held.