Governments of Bosnia's two entities, the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, could restrict the price of oil and oil derivates, said Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mirko Sarovic on Wednesday.

The minister said it was true that the excise duties partly affected the fuel prices’ increase and that this came at the “worst possible moment” when the oil price on the global market was rapidly growing.

He welcomed the reaction of media and citizens to the price change.

“Now there is a public opinion and citizens are no longer indifferent to what is happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina, not only when it comes to the fuel price but regarding many other matters. We shouldn't be surprised if citizens react to some other social issues that draw their attention,” said Sarovic.

Citizens have been staging protests in several cities across Bosnia every day since Sunday, expressing dissatisfaction with fuel price increase. Roads were first blocked in Tuzla, Banja Luka, Sarajevo and Zenica on Sunday at 5 pm sharply for an hour.

Transportation companies, which initiated the protests, said they would gather the citizens in this way daily at the same time until authorities start listening to their demands. The protesters said an acceptable price for them would be between 1.50 and 1.70 Bosnian marks (EUR 0.75-0.85).

The minister finds it “symptomatic” that the “oil sector representatives” seem to have some sort of an agreement on every price increase.

“It is worth of examining,” he concluded.

(EUR 1 = BAM 1.95)