EU Delegation condemns inflammatory rhetoric of Bosnia’s Finance Minister Srdjan Amidzic

According to the EU Delegation, inflammatory comments such as those made by Minister Amidzic directed at Krnjic and Bosniaks are unacceptable and do not promote an environment of trust. The Delegation emphasized that political actors have a clear responsibility to refrain from divisive rhetoric. Instead, officials should focus on delivering concrete benefits for citizens, including resolving issues related to indirect taxation and revenue distribution between the entities, alongside finding a sustainable, long-term solution to ensure the full and predictable functioning of the Gradiska border crossing.

The dispute escalated after the Ministry of Security of BiH temporarily opened the new Gradiska border crossing because a portion of the safety fence and pedestrian walkway over the Sava River collapsed on the old infrastructure, suspending traffic. Local associations expressed dissatisfaction with this temporary support.

Concurrently, Krnjic refused to approve the regulations required to formally open the new crossing, insisting on the prior resolution of a debt owed by Republika Srpska to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity exceeding 150 million Bosnian marks (approx. €76,690,000). While representatives from Republika Srpska accuse Bosniak officials of political blockades, the Federation side asserts that discussions regarding revenue alignment, previously requested by the FBiH Ministry of Finance, have been actively avoided for months.

Krnjic noted that an alignment decision is prepared but continually ignored. Following the failed ITA session in Gradiska, Amidzic responded to the financial demands with insults directed at Muslims and remarks about a failed state. Federal Finance Minister Toni Kraljevic confirmed that the Court of BiH is scheduled to rule on the Federation's revenue lawsuit against RS this July.