Magazinović: Law adopted in Serbia covers BiH territory and resources

The Law on the implementation of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Italy on cooperation in the field of energy, agreed on cooperation that includes the Middle Drina project, and other projects on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina - warns Saša Magazinović, MP in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and President of the Main Board of SDP BiH.

- Since the text of the Law adopted by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia covers the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the natural resources of our country, and there is no consent from state institutions, I believe that the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been grossly violated. I regret that the BiH Parliament was not informed about this issue earlier, as the law was adopted in 2012 - says Magazinović, explaining that in addition to the aforementioned Middle Drina Hydroelectric Power Plant, this Law also covers three hydroelectric power plants between the lower waters of the Bajina Bašta Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Zvornik Hydroelectric Power Plant reservoir.

Due to the information provided, and in order to protect the interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Magazinović sent a set of questions to the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Denis Zvizdić, to explain the situation to the public. He seeks answers to the questions of whether the BiH Council of Ministers has information about this and if so, what has been done to protect the interests of BiH? Have the institutions of Republika Srpska, given that they signed international declarations/agreements, sought and obtained the consent of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly for this, in accordance with the BiH Constitution, and if they have not done so, is there criminal responsibility?

Magazinović also asks Zvizdić to inform the public through his answer whether he has discussed this issue in meetings with the leaders of Serbia so far, and if not, whether he intends to discuss it with President Vučić during his upcoming visit.

- I believe there is room for good neighborly relations in the region, but the current ones are far from it. The unresolved issue of borders, frequent disrespect for the integrity and institutions of BiH, interference in internal political relations and events, insincerity and PR policy instead of concrete policy and sincere relations, trade barriers, etc. are just some of the phenomena that hinder the establishment of real good neighborly relations. At the same time, I am not sure that the Bosnian-Herzegovinian side is responding to all these challenges by respecting itself first and foremost - emphasizes Magazinović.

At the time when the issue of building hydroelectric power plants on the Drina was topical, the SDP proposed that the entity power companies act jointly on this and numerous other projects, which obviously did not receive support. Such a policy of solidarity and cooperation would certainly yield much better results than the policies of unilateralism and conflict that prevail today.