Confirmed for NAP: Izetbegović on a self-funded vacation with his wife, accompanied by Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies officers

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bakir Izetbegović is on a private visit, on a four-day annual leave in Austria with his wife. Mr. Izetbegović is personally covering the costs of their accommodation and stay, it has been confirmed for the Patria agency from the office of the Chairman of the BiH Presidency.

- Police officers of the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are accompanying Mr. Izetbegović, are providing him, as a member of the Presidency of BiH, with mandatory twenty-four-hour protection, as required by the relevant laws and regulations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as international obligations.

The claims of the Viennese daily “Die Standard“ are not true; the number of accompanying persons is half of what was stated, it was confirmed for NAP.

We remind you that the Viennese newspaper stated that Izetbegović was accompanied by seven bodyguards and that they arrived in four state vehicles.

Der Standard also states that this visit has met with criticism in Bosnia and Herzegovina due to the "empty state treasury" and the fact that one-sixth of the population lives below the poverty line.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which relies on loans from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, will have to introduce stricter austerity in public spending, the newspaper stated.