Bosnia Presidency Chairman: Kosovo is independent state, that's my own stance

Fena

Despite the fact that Bosnia and Kosovo never recognised each other’s independence, there is no dilemma that Kosovo is an independent state, Bosnia’s Presidency Chairman told Pristina-based media.

Bosnia is one of the countries that did not recognise institutions in Pristina after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, mainly due to the opposition of Bosnia’s Serb-dominated region Republika Srpska, which can veto this decision in the state-level institutions.

Republika Srpska also passed a resolution, denouncing and refusing to recognise Kosovo independence.

In an interview with the Radio Television Kosovo (RTK), Bosnia’s Presidency Chairman said the agreement in the country has not been reached but that he has the right on his own opinion.

“The odds are we will have to wait (for that to happen), although I have no dilemma that Kosovo is an independent state,” he stressed.

“I won’t be always saying what has been agreed on, because there is three of us in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it doesn’t mean I need to be authorised to say something. In my diplomatic activities, I have to stick to the rules that are in force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I repeat, Kosovo is an independent state as far as I’m concerned. That’s a done deal and it is only a matter of time when others in the region will accept that,” said Komsic.

Bosnia’s Presidency consists of three members, who represent three major ethnic groups – Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, and two semi-autonomous regions, Republika Srpska and Federation (FBiH). All decision at the state level must be endorsed by both entities and pass the state parliament where, again, the two entities and three ethnic groups are represented.

Kosmic also said that everything concerning Kosovo is a matter of agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. According to him, accession of Bosnia and the rest of the Western Balkans to the NATO would mean a “salvation for the region.”