Schmidt sets Dodik's statement of loyalty to BiH as a condition for the European path, SNSD leader tells him not to embarrass himself!

(Patria) - The start of negotiations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union must be linked to Milorad Dodik's statement of loyalty to BiH, said High Representative Christian Schmidt.

"If negotiations with the European Union on integration (BiH – ed.) are opened in March, then they must be linked to Milorad Dodik's statement of loyalty to BiH," said the High Representative in BiH, Christian Schmidt, in an interview with the German newspaper Tageszeitung (Taz).

When asked by a Taz journalist whether Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska, could still be taken seriously regarding secession threats after the celebration of the unconstitutional January 9th as the Day of Republika Srpska, which gathered less than 1,000 people, and given that enthusiasm for him was very limited, Schmidt said: "That is probably the hardest question because one can be right or wrong about it".

Schmidt adds that he sees that "Dodik continues to prepare autonomy regarding the legal system and the Election Law". All of this, Schmidt says for Taz, culminates in an attack on existing state institutions, the Constitutional Court, and even the institution of the High Representative.

Red Line

When asked by a Taz journalist what would happen (if Dodik does not accept the statement of loyalty to BiH), Schmidt said: "Everyone wants negotiations, and Dodik has emphasized this recently. And that means, if the EU sets conditions, then they must be met – especially when it comes to topics like the functionality of the Constitutional Court".

Must the conditions be met before the start of accession negotiations, or is everything open, asked the Tageszeitung journalist?

Schmidt said that he assumes Dodik will try to strike "deals" on one issue or another. "But it must be clear that there are conditions that cannot be negotiated. This includes the Constitutional Court, the functionality of the state, including foreign policy, and the acceptance of existing laws and regulations," said Schmidt.

Schmidt also answered the question of whether there is a red line. "I say to leave the Constitutional Court alone; there is no room for maneuver there; laws must be implemented. The rule of law, cooperation with Europe, are at the very top. I also think that the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, such as the one in the Sejdić and Finci case, as well as other necessary changes to the BiH Constitution, must finally be respected".

Schmidt said that Dodik has developed autocratic structures and that it is clear to many people in Banja Luka that he manipulated the results in the last elections. He also pointed out that "autocratic forces and structures that resist any change towards the rule of law do not exist only in RS". He also pointed out that the Sejdić-Finci decision and other rulings of international courts must be implemented.

He added that electoral fraud must be prevented by identifying voters, who have lost trust. "Skepticism is high, and we must now take action," Schmidt emphasized for Taz and concluded: "Our interest is that the true opinion of the people is reflected and translated into the political structure".

Milorad Dodik reacted to Schmidt's statements, responding on X: "By coming to BiH and misrepresenting himself, Christian Schmidt has personally embarrassed himself. In 30 years, we have heard nonsense from legitimate High Representatives, and now from those who misrepresent themselves."

Доласком у БиХ и лажним представљањем Кристијан Шмит се лично обрукао.
Ми смо се за 30 година наслушали будалаштина и од легалних високих представника, сад ево и од оних који се лажно представљају. https://t.co/CNHtb1IIPI

— Милорад Додик (@MiloradDodik) January 23, 2024