Izetbegović: I am ready to make the first move towards normalisation of relations

Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bakir Izetbegović stated for BHRT that he is ready to make the first move that will lead to the normalisation of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and very willingly so, but that a period will be needed for passions to cool down, Patria reports.

- I understand my colleagues from the Serbian side, but their reaction is excessive. Leaving positions is groundless, because I did what they did not want to do - said Izetbegović.

He said he believes that representatives of the other two nations would do the same as he did, they would support staying in the process against Serbia, if the Bosniaks' position were occupied by their people, if they had suffered as the Bosniaks suffered in the war.

Izetbegović questioned why Serbian politicians identify with the regime of Slobodan Milošević and called on them to stop doing so.

Bakir Izetbegović said that he functions quite normally with Mladen Ivanić, but that he has not seen him since the interrupted session, nor is it customary for them to meet on a daily basis.

- We had a very cordial meeting that day as well, we shook hands at the end and intend to work on restoring stability - said the member of the Presidency from the Bosniak people.

The European path will be briefly halted

For some time, Bosnia and Herzegovina's European path will be halted, said Bakir Izetbegović during his appearance on BHT1's Dnevnik, but at the same time he questioned whether that was a reason to withdraw from the proceedings before the International Court of Justice.

- We made a great effort to push reforms forward, European integration. We made a huge effort, but there are things that take precedence over all others - said Bakir Izetbegović.

He rejected the accusation that he agrees with further federalisation of BiH, which would ultimately lead to the creation of a third entity.

- I went to Strasbourg to warn my colleagues from the EPP not to create foundations for a third entity through the principles of federalism. There is no country with greater principles of federalism than BiH. What more is there to federalise? - Izetbegović asked.

Also, he said he advocates for a solution whereby the RTV fee would be collected through electricity distributors, and added that the SDA is sincerely lobbying to resolve the issue of collecting the RTV fee.