Izetbegović: The issue of state property must be resolved, construction of the highway, gas and energy projects will be stopped

(Patria) - SDA President Bakir Izetbegović said he does not believe the Tuzla Canton government will last. Two delegates who were in the SDA were key yesterday in toppling the government of Irfan Halilagić (SDA) and the new government headed by Edis Dervišagić (SDP BiH).

“I think this government will not last until the end of its term either. The SDA is stronger after these departures. We had a clash with Kukić’s team (Mirsad Kukić, ed.). At one point it seemed he was stronger than the SDA, and then he melted like ice cream. PDA has practically disappeared and all will disappear, the SDA is stronger, nowhere is the SDA stronger than in TK. We received 70,000 votes. I am not afraid for the SDA; these departures of people who are not here for ideas or for the people, but are here for themselves, trading. I looked at who these people are who approached us and then left us like this. A meeting with Hurtić, then a meeting with this one, with that one, then flirting with DF, traders, that's what it is. We don't need that. We must come to a strong structure in TK that will work for the people,” said Izetbegović.

He emphasized that the SDA had a 27 percent increase in the Federation of BiH in the last elections.

Izetbegović also spoke about the adoption of laws at the state level and announcements that this could happen within the next 14 days.

“The EU has asked us to establish a Supreme or Appellate Court that will harmonize verdicts, so that people are equal before the law. What is most important are the court's competencies, which are more important than the location itself. What we have heard is that this process for Dodik would be conducted in Banja Luka. That court would be divided into two entities. You know, for the sake of some abstract EU path, to adopt some bizarre laws that will never be corrected again, we are effectively degrading the judicial system. We don't need such laws, this should be stopped,” said Izetbegović.

The issue of state property has still not been resolved, and Izetbegović said it must be resolved.

“Either thoroughly by law or by changing the High Representative's decision. The Southern Interconnection will not be able to be built, the Northern Interconnection will not be able to be built, the Corridor 5c highway will be stopped, the extension of the runway at Sarajevo Airport, energy projects worth 15 billion marks, all major projects and investments will be stopped or illegal. We have a decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH that those who engage in expropriation of what belongs to the state will engage in illegal activities. People will not want to do that. The SDA is in opposition to resolve this. The FBiH government asked the Council of Ministers and the OHR to resolve it. Pressure should be applied and not wait. This should be done by the Council of Ministers of BiH if it can, if not, then the OHR,” said Izetbegović.

The Public Company Motorways of the FBiH submitted a request to the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH for the adoption of a legal act on the disposal, use and management of state property for the purpose of building the highway on Corridor 5c and expressways at the beginning of January this year, which the Collegium of the House of Representatives will consider on Monday, February 24.

Izetbegović said that the SDA is always in favor of solving the problem at the state public service (BHRT).

“I fear that the solution will not come from the Serbian side. They solved it at the entity level, they want their television to be financially controlled by them, I would not say it will be for strengthening the system. We stubbornly insist that seven cultural institutions be financed from the state level, we must save the institutions, BHRT, cultural institutions. This can be done from the federal budget, from the cantons. Solutions can be found. We can, in agreement with the managements of FTV and BHRT, offer a solution in parliament,” said the SDA president.