Milorad Dodik cannot be saved or isolated by anyone else but him, Bosnia's Foreign Minister and leader of the People and Justice party Elmedin Konakovic said in N1's Pressing show on Wednesday evening, stressing that the Bosnian Serb leader is deciding on his destiny by himself. Pročitaj više

Konakovic spoke about a wide range of topics including the relations within the state-level ruling coalition that his party as well as Dodik's SNSD are part of and the country's integration into the European Union.

“What we did with Dodik, it is the fact, we did the most in the past ten years, and he is a part of the coalition,” said Konakovic.

As for Dodik's secession threats, he said that such decision would be the worst for Republika Srpska entity in current geopolitical moment and the state of Europe.

“Dodik would cause new turbulences and problems, would entirely isolate RS which is already suffering from some consequences and isolation. Europe would not just watch idly, and America has demonstrated its commitment on several occasions,” he stressed.

What if Dodik blocks the path to the European Union?

“I do agree that he hinders the story of BiH which is currently the champion of the EU integration. We progressed from the bottom to the best result. He could slow it down, but he would make much more damage to himself and Republika Srpska,” according to Konakovic.

In context of the decision of the High Representative Christian Schmidt to amend the Election Law, which Dodik objected but also another partner in power – HDZ BiH leader Dragan Covic, Konakovic does not think that this would affect Bosnia's European path.

“It should not. He gave us enough of time in December to reach an agreement,” he noted.

But, if he had a chance to advice Schmidt, what would he do?

“I would wait seven more days. It would shed light on everything, there would be another meeting of the coalition,” Konakovic said. “I don't think we would make it, but he would at least be sure he gave us time.”

However, Konakovic deems the coalition partners should go on with talks.

“I will always give a preference to local agreements over any international interventionism. I am more interested in what we agreed on than what the US thinks, although I find them the biggest foreign partner,” he stressed, adding that Schmidt did not impose the decision because he wanted so but because he had to unblock the process.

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Asked to comment on a recent US intelligence report on potential peace threats in the Western Balkans, Konakovic said that “nothing is a coincidence” and that “their commitment is flattering.”

As for the EU's intentions and whether there is a problem with the fact that Muslims make a large part of the population in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he said he has never noticed that.

“Where I go, people know I am a Muslim, a Bosniak, a faithful. I never felt any discomfort,” he stressed, and continued:

“I was more worried about the Bosniak politicians who were creating the enemies out of the people who were traditionally friends. No one can make me give away anything of my identity, I would never pay that price. Nor anyone ask me to do that.”

As for the narrative that the West is against Muslims in BiH, Konakovic said that the West is in favour of Bosnia joining the EU regardless of the fact that it is inhabited by Muslims.

Speaking about Bosnia's NATO integration, the minister noted that this is something that the country had established as a goal through laws a long time ago.

A decision of joining the NATO should be a result of a compromise as a priority model, Konakovic stressed and continued:

“But in a case of Dodik's secessionism, a one-sided decision, in an extraordinary situation, I am sure that the Parliament of BiH would pass a decision within 48 hours that we are joining the NATO immediately and becoming a member state. That would be catastrophic for Republika Srpska, they know it very well.”