Thaci not coming to Sarajevo due to Dodik's humiliating invitation

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Despite the readiness and willingness to participate in the Summit of Cooperation in Southeast Europe (SEECP), the humiliating invitation from the current Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina has prevented my participation and representation of Kosovo at this meeting, said Hashim Thaci, President of Kosovo, on Facebook, reacting to the invitation from Milorad Dodik in which Kosovo was not listed as a state.

"Kosovo is always ready for good neighborly relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and for mutual recognition. But, unfortunately, our will is constantly being abused, as in the case of the SEECP organization from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The minimum that Kosovo requires for participation in such forums is equal treatment with other participating countries," said Thaci.

He adds that "Bosnia and Herzegovina's behavior is unacceptable and paradoxical, as its representatives apply completely anti-European practices that are no different from those in Serbia."

"With such a destructive approach, regional cooperation and good neighborly relations between the Western Balkan countries remain an indispensable prerequisite for the path to EU membership. The Republic of Kosovo remains committed to good neighborly relations, regional cooperation, and the Euro-Atlantic future, but refuses to be exposed and discriminated against by anyone," said the President of Kosovo.

Dodik sent the invitation to Thaci at the end of June, and his Cabinet later announced "that Kosovo was not invited as an independent state, but as an 'undefined entity with a footnote'."