Komšić: Presidency appoints, Council of Ministers proposes chief negotiator

(Patria) - So, the Constitution is very clear on this. The Presidency appoints all those who act on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina externally. And the chief negotiator is such a position, such a function. The Constitution, laws, and if you will, some practice, dictate that the chief negotiator, due to having the greatest operational responsibilities in the accession process to the European Union, should be proposed by the Council of Ministers, and according to the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, appointed by the Presidency.

This would be a constitutional, legal, and logical sequence of events when we talk about the position of the chief negotiator - explained the Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Željko Komšić.

In the continuation of the conversation, he explained why the Council of Ministers:

Because the Council of Ministers has the most work on this path, i.e., in negotiations with the European Union, and we are waiting for them to give us a date for the opening of negotiations. And the Presidency, according to the Constitution, is authorized to appoint people who act for BiH. I don't see what the problem is - said Komšić.

Komšić: The Presidency appoints, and the Council of Ministers proposes the chief negotiator
He added that he is ready to do everything to ensure BiH gets a chief negotiator.

This is an issue that, in my opinion, does not tolerate politicking. It transcends some current political calculations between us. We need this, we have an opportunity, and we should seize it. But it's not just the appointment of the chief negotiator – you have an obligation to amend two laws: the Law on the Court and the Law on the HJPC - Komšić reminded.

He states that in any case, it should be a proposal from the Council of Ministers.

Who it is, I don't know. I told that to the President of the European Commission when she visited Sarajevo. I am not interested in ethnic affiliation, nor gender, nor who they are, nor what they are. I am interested in the chief negotiator being a person with integrity. And I am interested in a chief negotiator who knows what they need to do. Someone who knows what the European path is, what European integration is. Who knows the practice and policies of the European Union. Who knows what we need to implement. What will their name be? To be honest with you - I don't care - said the Chairman of the BiH Presidency.