Plenkovic: Further separatist moves in RS would be harmful, BiH needs dialogue

"We are concerned about the ongoing crisis. We consider it quite serious," Plenkovic said after meeting with Dragan Covic, leader of the HDZ BiH party, in Mostar.

He emphasised the importance of "everyone returning to constitutional norms" and lowering tensions in order to "avoid further unrest" and guide Bosnia and Herzegovina toward "stability, economic prosperity, and the European path".

The latest escalation stems from the first-instance court ruling against Milorad Dodik, President of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Serb entity of Republika Srpska (RS), and actions taken by the entity’s authorities that challenge the legitimacy of state institutions.

Plenkovic stressed that the solution must come from within BiH.

"Our fundamental position is that the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be regulated, stabilised, and led by the country's own institutions and political representatives who have received the trust of the citizens, regardless of which ethnic group they belong to," he stated.

He criticised the RS authorities' efforts to undermine state institutions and their suggestions of potential secession from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Any tendencies coming from political representatives in Republika Srpska, particularly the SNSD leadership, that push toward separatism are negative," he stressed.

Asked whether other EU countries might follow Austria and Germany in imposing sanctions on Dodik and other Serb officials, Plenkovic said that there will be no unified stance within the EU.

"We are not in the same position as countries that are not Bosnia and Herzegovina's neighbours. We want to send calming messages that encourage dialogue," Plenkovic said.

In response to a question about last week's blockade of the House of Peoples of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliament by Bosniak representatives - who halted debate on the HDZ BiH's proposal for electoral reform - Plenkovic called for an end to the practice of outvoting Croats in the country’s Presidency.

"For us, that is a condition sine qua non for any real progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina," Plenkovic said, emphasising that the current situation is unfair toward Croats in BiH.

HDZ BiH leader Covic underlined the importance of electoral reform and accused Bosniak parties of obstruction.

"The Bosniak caucus blocked the House of Peoples for seven months last year. I hope it won't last that long this time," Covic added.