Bosnian Foreign Minister and Narod i Pravda leader Elmedin Konakovic appeared on N1 Television to discuss Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) European path, coalition relations, and specifically his interactions with SNSD leader and Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.

Konakovic returned from a meeting with EU ministers in Luxembourg with mixed feelings. He appreciated the EU's serious offers to potential member countries, including BiH, but expressed frustration upon returning to BiH due to political figures like Dodik, who he accused of hindering the country's European progress.

“And of course, when you return to BiH, you feel bitterness because when we have such an opportunity, we have political factors like Dodik who try to make jokes out of it, hiding the essence of the problem, because they do not want us to continue on the European path, which means a lot to the people,” Konakovic remarked.

He criticized Dodik for making light of serious issues and accused him of deliberately blocking BiH's EU path to serve Russian interests, following directives from his “Russian masters.”

“His Russian masters became unhappy with the speed at which BiH is approaching the EU, and personally ordered him to stop the process because it is far from Russia's interest in the Balkans,” Konakovic explained.

Addressing the state of BiH politics, Konakovic remarked on the disillusionment of BiH citizens with their political leaders over the past decades, calling the current political establishment possibly the worst in the region, Europe, and perhaps the world.

“So we are not lagging much. I am more angry, frustrated, sad, and nervous about the fact that the SNSD has pulled the handbrake on all processes in BiH,” he stated.

Konakovic frustrated by Dodik’s political obstruction

Despite delays in BiH's EU negotiations compared to Ukraine and Moldova, Konakovic was more concerned about the SNSD's obstruction of processes in BiH, accusing Dodik of halting progress and causing significant security problems for Europe.

“My colleagues know this well, I have many messages and contacts, they understand, I don't have to work hard to prove it. Dodik publicly published pictures with Putin on June 6, criticized the West, talked about BiH's membership in BRICS. He is doing everything against the interests of BiH's economy because of his personal relationship with Putin,” he emphasized.

He mentioned his disappointment with the failure to finalize significant reforms due to obstruction by SDA and DF in the Neum process but expressed hope for future opportunities. He reiterated the importance of maintaining strategic alliances with HDZ and focusing on critical issues like the state budget and growth plans to secure significant EU funds for BiH.

Regarding U.S. sanctions, Konakovic believed their expansion in BiH was imminent due to continuous corruption. He criticized the local prosecution for being ineffective and overly influenced by political parties, stressing the need for accountability and action against those on the sanctions list.

“Our prosecution is catastrophic, porous, close to political parties, more interested in dealing with political opponents, with exceptions. It is not at the level of American judiciary and administration, they should take those on the blacklist and investigate them,” he argued.

In summary, Konakovic underscored his commitment to advancing BiH’s EU integration despite internal and external challenges, vowing not to remain silent against those undermining the country’s institutions and progress.

“I am not a seller of fog, I will not remain silent when Dodik attacks institutions,” Konakovic concluded.