OHR on HE Buk Bijela; We support investments, but state property must be respected

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The High Representative in BiH supports direct investments that will support BiH's economic growth and the prosperity of its citizens. However, all undertaken or planned acts and activities must be fully in accordance with the BiH Constitution and the decisions of the BiH Constitutional Court, they told N1 from the Office of the High Representative.

Commenting on today's laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the Buk Bijela hydropower plant on the Drina River, the OHR reminded of the BiH Constitutional Court's decision according to which waters are considered state property.

“The High Representative’s well-known position is that direct foreign investments are extremely welcome as they directly support stronger economic growth of BiH and the prosperity of all citizens. However, in this, as in all other cases related to foreign investments, prudent and legally valid action would guarantee investment based on legal certainty and contractual predictability. In this regard, the High Representative reminds that in its previous practice, the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has determined that waters as public goods are considered state property, and that this, as in the case of neighboring and other countries, includes 'inland waters', and that decisions regarding state property should be made at the level of BiH, given that BiH has exclusive jurisdiction to decide on the status of state property,” the OHR's response states.