Nikšić: Komšić and Džaferović acted correctly, Russia has a continuous negative impact

(Patria) - I believe that the decision of two members of the BiH Presidency not to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov due to expressed disrespect towards the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its symbols is correct. This is not the first time Lavrov has gone outside the bounds of usual diplomatic behavior, thereby violating the necessary diplomatic respect for the institutions and state symbols of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said Nermin Nikšić, leader of the SDP.

"After all, during the announced, then cancelled visit of Minister Lavrov, SDP BiH called on the members of the Presidency to take such a step. Also, I expect the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina to move from the phase of symbolic advocacy for the state to practical action. Russia's behavior has a continuous negative impact, and without a clear political offensive by our diplomacy, this move will remain just a diplomatic incident. For now, at the very first step, we have a contradictory situation where Minister Turković is not following her party colleague and member of the Presidency Džaferović and is going to a meeting with Lavrov.

Although she is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is clear that we have sent two conflicting messages to the world in just one day. I fear that by doing this, we are showing immaturity for the situation.
I expect institutions like the Presidency to undertake concrete activities not only regarding Russia's destructive influence but also regarding a series of open internal and bilateral issues in relations with neighbors. 

The issue of Trgovska Gora, the bridge on Pelješac, the anti-state activities of certain diplomatic missions whose leaders they themselves have chosen, as well as the issue of returning internationally appointed members, who were unconstitutionally removed from the Commission for the Preservation of National Monuments of BiH, are just some of the issues within their scope of work. 

I hope that today's opposition to Dodik and Lavrov is a prelude to their more energetic engagement on other issues of protecting the state and state interests, some of which I have only mentioned," said Nikšić.