Mektić voted FOR: While 100,000 migrants wait, SNSD and HDZ oppose strengthening the state border

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - At today's session of the Joint Commission for Defense and Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an initiative by MP Predrag Kojović (Our Party) was rejected, "which would oblige the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina to prepare an analysis of the permeability of the state border of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the equipment of the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina for better control of the state border."

This decision came at a very critical moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina, at a time when the Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fahrudin Radončić, warns that 100,000 migrants in Greece are waiting for spring to head towards the EU, but via the route through Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This initiative was defeated by the votes of SNSD and HDZ. Dragan Mektić (SDS), who is also a member of this Commission, voted FOR the initiative, aware of the danger that threatens. He had previously announced that he would decide in the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina and would not respect the request of Milorad Dodik.

Those in favor were also Asim Sarajlić (SDA), Dženan Đonlagić (DF), Šemsudin Mehmedović (SDA), Amir Fazlić (SDA), and Zukan Helez (SDP), while those against were Dušanka Majkić (SNSD), Sanja Vulić (SNSD), Sredoje Nović (SNSD), and Marina Pendeš (HDZ). Bariša Čolak and Borjana Krišto were not present.

The initiative failed because there was not a single vote from the Croat caucus.

"Pendeš will send a message to Croatia and the EU that we do not want an analysis of where and what we need to fix, what resources, materials, and personnel we need to increase, what we need to pay special attention to," warned Damir Arnaut at the commission.

Zoran Galić, the director of the Border Police, close to HDZ, has been warning for months that this police agency cannot cope alone with the increasing migrant pressure.

It is unclear how HDZ then defeated such an initiative that would ultimately help the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Incidentally, the Joint Commission for Defense and Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina requested from the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, SIPA, the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Service for Foreigners' Affairs, the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Agency for Police Support, the Agency for Education and Professional Training, and the Agency for Forensic Examinations and Expertise to submit to the Joint Commission their reports on work for 2019.