Austrian Minister: Sanctions against Dodik have already come into effect

"I certainly have to return because I promised to visit the city. I am glad to be here and want to thank you for the warm welcome. Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina are strong partners, and we have always had a good dialogue. It is my pleasure to continue the work of my predecessors," the Austrian minister said at the beginning of her address.
"We will continue to work even more decisively on this commitment because we are connected in so many ways. Austria is the third-largest investor in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and our goal is to further strengthen economic relations. We have strong human ties as well—170,000 people from Bosnia and Herzegovina live in Austria and enrich our society," she added.

She stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina must take advantage of the positive momentum towards the EU.

"We had excellent discussions on EU integration, and we will continue to support all Western Balkan countries on their path to the EU. We must seize this positive momentum towards the EU, which was not always there but is now present. We support gradual integration into the EU—it is crucial that people see progress, that they see what the EU can look like, and what opportunities it offers.

She also addressed the sanctions that Austria imposed on Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.

"I think it is clear to say that Milorad Dodik's recent actions are a threat to stability, the constitutional order, and the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are closely monitoring the proceedings against him and are aware that Dodik ignores these proceedings and has left the country multiple times.

We want to support Bosnia and Herzegovina with decisive action. I am pleased to say that, together with Germany, we have decided to impose certain entry sanctions on Dodik and two other individuals. With this, we wanted to express our support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose future is in the EU."

She added that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country of great potential and, in response to a journalist's question, confirmed that the sanctions have already come into effect.

"The sanctions have already come into effect, barring Dodik and others from entering or transiting through Austria. I believe it is necessary to send a signal, and it is wise to try to de-escalate the situation as much as possible. On the other hand, we also have our own interests—Austria is part of the EU, and when someone crosses so many red lines, we must send political signals. I am glad that we are able to do that."