KOŠARAC: WE ARE PROTECTING INSTITUTIONS OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AND THEIR VISIBILITY

SARAJEVO, SEPTEMBER 17 /SRNA/ – The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac rejected accusations that ministers from Republika Srpska in the Council of Ministers act under the influence of Russia or anyone else, stressing that they exclusively protect the institutions of Srpska and their visibility.

"That is nonsense. I think we need to get a bit more serious when dealing with politics. There are no red phones, no interventions from the Russian Federation," Košarac said after a session of the Council of Ministers, at which he did not support the reform agenda. According to him, the Federation of BiH refuses communication with the institutions of Republika Srpska and disputes the legitimately elected president and Government of Srpska, while at the same time wanting to pick and choose, as if from a buffet, whatever a certain European official has said. When it comes to the reform agenda, Košarac said that 772 corrections and comments were made and that Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Borjana Krišto made an effort in that regard. "I think more time is needed to harmonize certain elements," Košarac emphasized. He stated that it is necessary to ensure the visibility of the institutions of Republika Srpska in all this, which is currently not the case, and that it is therefore a political imperative to secure it, whether others like it or not. Košarac said that the reform agenda will be voted on in the second round, expressing confidence that efforts will be made to reach certain solutions. "It is speculative talk when people say that by not adopting the Agenda, a hand has been stuck in the pockets of transporters and farmers. Let’s be completely honest – these are not all grant funds foreseen through the Growth Plan fund and the reform agenda," Košarac stressed, adding that there are also credit funds involved. He explained that there are steps for the implementation of the reform agenda, and that each one not fulfilled by the institutions in BiH means a reduction in the envisaged funds. "Someone here is creating a fuss that something will be given to us just because we vote. Even if the reform agenda had been adopted today, it would not mean that Brussels would not make corrections," Košarac added. He pointed out that there is still time for the reform agenda, since the deadline is the end of September, adding that even the cantons are not satisfied with this document. As problematic for Republika Srpska, Košarac cited the reduction of participation of its institutions in the fields of energy and environmental protection. Emphasizing that the reform agenda is a very important political issue that requires political dialogue, Košarac expressed hope that representatives of the Federation of BiH will realize that they must talk with the institutions of Republika Srpska. "You heard /Prime Minister of FBiH Nermin/ Nikšić say he does not want to talk with /Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Savo/ Minić. Who in their right mind can say such a thing?" Košarac asked, recalling that HDZ leader Dragan Čović said he wants to talk with everyone, while SNSD had also extended invitations to talks on several occasions. Košarac stressed that the views of Serbs and Croats in BiH must be respected, as well as the fact that BiH consists of two entities and three constituent peoples. He underlined that the president of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik and the Government must be respected. "Republika Srpska, in accordance with the Constitution, elects its bodies in a legal and legitimate manner," Košarac concluded.