Heated discussion between BiH Presidency members after meeting with Kallas

“In line with the old saying ‘when you board the wrong train, every station is the wrong one.’ Let me say that the Bonn Powers are a fabrication, not based in international law, which have led this country from one wrong station to another because they shoved us into that train themselves. What I hear from my colleagues here in Sarajevo, this cosmopolitan place, is only "arrest, detain, sanction, remove from office"," Cvijanovic said, refering to the arrest warrant issued against Milorad Dodik, the president of BiH's RS entity.
"If that’s the approach we’re supposed to respect and call the path to the EU, I’ve generously told my colleagues and everyone else – feel free to take that EU path yourselves. Find the capacity if you think you don’t have it in SNSD (Alliance of Independent Social Democrats), find it wherever you can add it up mathematically, and then fulfill the EU’s conditions,” said Cvijanovic, visibly angry.

She also claimed that “RS is not working to undermine the constitutional order” and that the leadership of the entity still “advocates for dialogue.”

Komsic spoke after her and said he had to respond.

“I have no intention, desire, or will to heat up the atmosphere or pour fuel on the fire, but I do feel the need to respond to what Cvijanovic said. Your colleagues didn’t say ‘arrest’ – the Court did. It wasn’t us; the Court, which is competent in such matters, issued those orders. Don’t expect us to degrade court decisions and invent reasons why they shouldn’t be carried out. Court decisions must be implemented, whether we like them or not,” Komsic said.

At both the beginning and end of his brief speech, he addressed the guest, Kallas, thanking her for everything she had said.

Denis Becirovic spoke about the attack on BiH’s constitutional order.

“There is a tragic illusion in the BiH entity of Republika Srpska. That is the illusion that a peaceful dissolution of BiH is possible. It is a dangerous illusion of that entity’s leadership, one that could lead to catastrophe. We will stop all assaults on the constitutional and legal order of BiH using legal, democratic, and political means,” he said, among other things.

Kallas spoke at the very end. She said that they had an open exchange of views, which was “evident from the remarks.” She reiterated that the EU is committed to BiH’s European path, and to the stability and security of the region.

“The Constitution of BiH is the cornerstone of peace and its respect is mandatory. Any actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and constitutional order of this country are dangerous and unacceptable. Recent legislative actions and initiatives by the RS leadership undermine the functioning of domestic institutions and the delivery of public services, and they equally threaten the fundamental freedoms of all citizens. I welcome the fact that civil servants, judiciary representatives, and police officers have not succumbed to political pressure to withdraw from state-level institutions. In the end, it is the citizens who pay the price for attacks on the functioning of police agencies and the Court,” Kallas said.

She recalled that she had previously visited EUFOR troops, which clearly demonstrate the EU’s readiness to ensure peace and stability. In conclusion, she stated that there are no shortcuts on the path to the EU and that all leaders in BiH must finally begin working together to deliver to citizens what they truly deserve.