Germany suspends projects in Republika Srpska

The information was conveyed to this ministry from the German Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The letter says the projects will be suspended until the decisions of the Republika Srpska National Assembly are taken away on December 10, 2021 and February 10, 2022, as well as the completion of the current blockade of state institutions.

It is the decisions of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska for the so-called transfer of state competencies to entity and decision level and the adoption of the Law on Realistic Wealth, which is used for the functioning of public authorities in Republika Srpska.

The law was suspended with a decision by High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt on 12 April, because, under current law, entities cannot manage state property.

In December of last year, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska ruled that the government of this entity has six months to submit to parliament the law on increased value tax, the Act for excises, the Law for the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Republika Srpska, as well as laws for defence and security.

These are the competencies of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Republika Srpska reasonably claims should be in the jurisdiction of entity. Bosnia and Herzegovina's constitution does not leave such an opportunity, the REL reports.

Actions in the Republika Srpska entity, to create parallel institutions, have been unanimously condemned by the European Union (BE) and the United States of America (SHBA).

Politicians from the Republika Srpska have been blocking Bosnia and Herzegovina's state institutions since late July 2021, when former High Representative Valentin Inzko adopted amendments to Bosnia and Herzegovina's Penal Code and ruled that it was a crime to deny genocide, as well as to make war crimes decisions brought to the International Court of The Hague and by Bosnia and Herzegovina local courts.

What are the projects?

It is reportedly about the HE Trebinje IV rehabilitation projects, the rehabilitation of HE Trebinje III, the Hrgud-winded Ferma and the supply of sewage Gradiska.

Germany's Federal Government, as noted on paper, stands firm on Bosnia and Herzegovina's side and is willing to enhance co-operation and intensify support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession processes to the European Union.

Also, as it said, the federal government will firmly reject any political and economic destabilisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina through separatist aspirations.