EU Condemns Dodik's Sescetistic rhetoric

The repeated statements of Republika Srpska's president in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, that he will declare the entity's secession, have been condemned by the international community, including by the European Union.

“The EU strongly condemns the Secesionist rhetoric, and we have made it clear to all co-talkers in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, an EU diplomatic source for Radio Free Europe has said.

This source, referring to the Serbian leader's recent statement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has said that “Dodik is already quite isolated and just requests attention”.

All types of timely statements by Dodik really do not deserve to be commented. He in the EU has no friends, maybe one, but he knows very well that statements about the independence of Republika Srpska are meaningless, because such entities would be completely isolated politically and economically, and would only bring more suffering to citizens”, the EU diplomatic source said.

“Dodik is already quite isolated, and he with such statements makes the efforts of a desperate one to get more attention and increase his importance”, this source has said.

Regarding statements that come about the possibility of secession of the Republika Srpska entity from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU recalls that they strongly support Bosnia and Herzegovina's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. This state is expected in March, depending on meeting certain criteria, to accept the EU's decision to start membership negotiations.

EU sources also recall the recent conclusions, which were adopted for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the EU Council meeting, within the framework of the enlargement package, where concern was expressed for the Secesionist rhetoric and consequences were warned.

The Council is seriously concerned about legal initiatives in the Republika Srpska entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are contrary to Bosnia and Herzegovina's European path, including the Secesionist rhetoric and the question of the country's constitutional order”, was said in the stance of all EU member states.

“Sovranity, territorial integrity, constitutional order, including Constitutional Court decisions, and Bosnia and Herzegovina's international subjectivity, must be respected. Any action that goes against these principles will have serious consequences”, it is said in the EU's stance, expressed in these conclusions, while the same EU stance continues to have it now.

Diplomats in the EU also express concern about the continuation of Russia's influence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the entity Republika Srpska, which has been urged, as if all Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state, to implement the whole decision to support EU sanctions against Russia.