Radončić on the Decision of RS and Serbia: An Entity Cannot Make Decisions on the Border Regime

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Republika Srpska Republican Headquarters for Emergency Situations decided today that agricultural producers in the border area along the Drina River who have agricultural land in the Republic of Serbia will be able to cross the border from tomorrow to perform agricultural work. The border issue is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which makes its decisions upon the proposal of an authorized proposer, i.e., the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was announced today from the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

"Furthermore, the procedure of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, which did not inform the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of our country about the intention to open small border crossings, but instead directly contacted the Center in Trebinje, is also very unacceptable," the Ministry stated.

Therefore, the Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fahrudin Radončić, instructed the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina to act in accordance with the Law and not to execute orders from the Republika Srpska Republican Headquarters for Emergency Situations.

"The request from Republika Srpska, if it arrives officially at the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be considered and, if a positive opinion is given, forwarded to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a decision. At the same time, the Government of the Republic of Serbia should send a note about its intention to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will then forward it to the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina for action. On the issue of the border, there is no compromise, and absolutely everything must be in accordance with the law and in the spirit of good neighborly relations and full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina," it was announced.