HELEZ CONTINUES TO VIOLATE LEGAL PROCEDURES AND CONSTITUTIONAL COMPETENCIES

EAST SARAJEVO, JULY 29 /SRNA/ - Staša Košarac, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, told SRNA that it is extremely concerning that Minister of Defence Zukan Helez continues to violate legal procedures and constitutional competencies, thereby undermining peace and stability in BiH.

"We are particularly cautious about his announcements that the Armed Forces of BiH will be equipped with anti-aircraft and anti-tank systems through donations from Türkiye," Košarac said. He stressed that Helez must finally acknowledge that, under the Constitution of BiH, the supreme commander of the Armed Forces is the Presidency of BiH, not the Minister of Defence. Košarac recalled that the Presidency of BiH has not made any decision on such procurement, nor has it authorized Helez to pursue equipment that is not part of the valid Modernization Plan. "The Turkish side should insist on respecting the constitutional and institutional framework and the defence system, and should require that all competent authorities in BiH be informed of all details," Košarac noted. He emphasized that it is irrelevant and incredibly populist to accuse Republika Srpska and its representatives at the state level of obstruction, blockade, or disregard for the Constitution and the Dayton Peace Agreement. At the same time, Košarac added, the Bosniak political component is blatantly violating constitutional and Dayton-based competencies, continuing with unilateral actions and various forms of adventurism. "It is impossible not to notice their pathological tendency to constantly talk about war, rearmament, and similar topics, often resorting to war-mongering rhetoric. Such tendencies are clearly present in the Federation of BiH," he stated. He further said that, for Republika Srpska, demilitarization of BiH remains the best option and framework for national security. "These Armed Forces already cost the citizens of BiH an enormous amount," Košarac concluded. Minister Zukan Helez, in violation of legal procedures and without the consent of the Deputy Ministers of Defence or coordination within the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of BiH, engaged in talks regarding military equipment donations from Türkiye.