The chairman of Bosnia’s Presidency said on Saturday that the right for self-determination is also granted to the Serbs but without jeopardising the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and asked Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to emphasise this in political discussions.

“I would like to ask for the right for self-determination which the international factor allows, to be also granted to the Serbs in Republika Srpska,” Milorad Dodik said in Belgrade.

Republika Srpska (RS) is the semi-autonomous Bosnian Serb majority territorial entity in Bosnia, established with the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement.

“This does not mean that the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be jeopardised but because it is legitimate and because the Serbs have that right,” Dodik said.

Dodik was elected into the state presidency at October elections and said he hopes the government will be formed soon. However, he blamed the Bosniaks for dragging their feet on the issue.

“We are ready to form the state institutions. Europe has also urged this to be done with it as soon as possible,” he said.

“We are seeing obstacles on this path because the Bosniak side thinks this should be done slowly,” he added.

Dodik has led the Bosnian Serb part of the country for over a decade, either as president or as prime minister. He has been advocating for more autonomy for Republika Srpska, as well as its independence from Bosnia.

“Contrary to 90 per cent of people in Serbia, I respect the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Vucic during the joint press conference.

He said the two discussed the construction of a highway from Sarajevo to Belgrade and stated that Serbia has done its part and that the rest is up to Bosnia.

He said Serbia had always respected Bosnia’s integrity and described this as a “correct attitude.”