Bosnian officials react to events in Konjic

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Presidency Chairman Bakir Izetbegovic said that the decision by the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Interior Ministry Commissioner represents a textbook example of the lower levels of government opposing the decisions of Bosnia’s Council of Ministers.

"It’s an unlawful and unconstitutional decision and things will not stay at this. There will be sanctions," Izetbegovic said, adding that the State Prosecution will have its hands full.

Bosnia's Council of Ministers Chairman Denis Zvizdic said the state decisions must be implemented on the entirety of Bosnia's territory.

“I consider the legally void order of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Interior Ministry to intercept and stop the buses with migrants in Konjic, to be the worst violation of the law and prevention of state authorities from implementing state competencies,” Zvizdic said.

He called on the State Prosecutor's Office to react immediately and once again emphasized that Bosnian state institutions will use all their constitutional, legal and institutional capacities and that decision of the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Security to move the migrants will be implemented.    

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity Prime Minister Fadil Novalic also expressed his surprise by the events in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. He expressed hope that the situation will be resolved quickly and that migrants will arrive in Mostar safely.  

Bosnia’s Finance and Treasury Minister Vjekoslav Bevanda said that last week the Council of Ministers had discussed the migrant issue in Bosnia and made certain decisions concerning it. Therefore, he asks that no one makes any hasty decisions and that they do not raise tensions.  

All levels of the government should act together, as a state and not call for coups and decisions and competencies of all lower levels of government must also be respected.