The High Representative in BiH, Christian Schmidt, criticised the BiH authorities, Thursday, saying that the number of adopted laws in BiH has been on bare minimum since 2010 and that the 2021 budget has not yet been adopted. He expressed his amazement at the fact that MPs from the Republika Srpska (RS) entity are boycotting the one place where dialogue regarding the future of the country is supposed to happen – the state parliament and state institutions but added that the international community is closely monitoring the situation in the country and the region.
“The number of adopted laws is minimal. This is a negative trend that has been going on since 2010[…]You know better than me what the challenges are in this country. This is a young population[…] Too often I hear discussions whether this or that is better, instead of talking about how to get closer to the EU. The state budget for 2021 has not been adopted yet, and the temporary financing lasts until December. The fact that the budget was not adopted before July shows that we have to work on it,” Schmidt said addressing the state House of Representative amid the crisis caused by the announcement of the Bosnian Serb Presidency member Milorad Dodik that the RS would pull out of a number of state institutions and abolish over 140 laws imposed by the Office of the High Representative over the years.
Schmidt’s address was also not attended by MPs from the RS who are boycotting the work all state institutions because they disagree with the former High Representative’s decision to impose a ban on genocide denial and glorification of war criminals in the country saying that it is an attack on their rights.
Schmidt noted that he met with politicians from the neighbouring countries and that he was also in Paris, Washington, London and other places, and that he used those meetings to inform the officials about the situation in the Western Balkans. The High Representative also pointed out that he is addressing the UN Security Council next week.
“Believe me, they are following this closely. Our common interest is to contribute to peace in the Western Balkans, and especially in BiH. In times like these, I understand very well that the citizens of BiH have many doubts, because the elected officials must work to convince everyone of a peaceful and common future that respects the rights of all. The international community and the High Representative are taking this very seriously. But that cannot happen without you and those who have the responsibility for their country,” Schmidt said.
The German diplomat stated that he was “surprised that entities, and probably the cantons, receive fixed amounts of funds and that they don’t have to fulfil some tasks.”
“I come from a country with 16 provinces, I know how difficult it is to reach an agreement, but I believe that there is a need to talk about how to reach a fair distribution [of funds]. I would appeal to everyone, saying that this is not the right way and that this should change. I think it’s better that money follows the tasks rather not the other way around. Deputies who are not present here now, decided to leave state institutions in July, objecting to my predecessor. I don’t understand that someone is blocking the Parliament, which is the right place for talks. I must clearly say that this (legal provisions) does not refer only to one genocide and crime or to one nation. These amendments serve all victims,” Schmidt said.
The High Representative also urged all politicians to talk to each other instead of sending messages via media outlets, adding that quitting is not an option.
Kakvo je tvoje mišljenje o ovome?
Budi prvi koji će ostaviti komentar!