KOŠARAC: CERTAIN EU OFFICIALS ARE CONTAMINATING SITUATION IN BiH

SARAJEVO, AUGUST 27 /SRNA/ – Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac has stated today in Sarajevo that certain European Union officials significantly contaminate the internal situation in BiH, stressing that the institutions of Republika Srpska will not accept the imposition of solutions that are not in line with the Constitution.

Košarac said that this claim is reflected in attempts, outside the Coordination Mechanism, which is very clearly defined, to draft laws together with a few officials from the EU Delegation in Sarajevo and present them as European. "If anyone thinks they can write a law without involving the institutions of Republika Srpska and then say in Sarajevo, `this is a European law and this must be done,` they are gravely mistaken. We will not raise our hands," Košarac told reporters. According to him, if a law is drafted in line with the Constitution, without transfer of competences, and is agreed upon with the institutions of Republika Srpska, the Federation of BiH, and the Brčko District, then representatives from Republika Srpska will never be an obstacle. Košarac emphasized that the policy he stands for is precisely one of agreement, respect for the Constitution, and institutional cooperation. He also pointed to the EU's position on the illegitimate High Representative, asking whether it would be acceptable in EU member states for a foreigner to make decisions on behalf of the people. Košarac criticized certain officials in BiH institutions who, as he said, display subservience to foreign power centers—something Republika Srpska will never agree to. The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations noted that everything aligned with the ministries' work plans and harmonized within BiH institutions is placed on the agenda of the Council of Ministers. As an example, he cited the adoption of the Law on the Regulator for Electricity Transmission, in order to avoid the introduction of additional EU environmental taxes. Referring to a recent statement by British Ambassador Julian Reilly on referendums, Košarac stressed that it was precisely through a referendum that the United Kingdom exited the EU. “How did the United Kingdom leave the EU? Did it not hold a referendum? So why couldn’t we hold a referendum?” he asked, adding that Srpska will hold a referendum. Speaking about domestic political circumstances, Košarac said that Our Party representative Edin Forto had, in a subservient manner, denounced other political representatives to foreign embassies, and he also criticized a segment of the opposition in Republika Srpska which does not hesitate to cooperate with foreigners. Košarac questioned the capacity of the opposition in Republika Srpska, which, in his view, seeks to come to power through servility. "Who is the joint candidate of the opposition? Will the PDP and SDS even survive? For them, foreigners are the standard, while we are defeating them in elections," Košarac added.