AMIDŽIĆ: FBiH GOVERNMENT IS BLOCKING THE OPENING OF NEW BORDER CROSSING IN GRADIŠKA

BANJA LUKA, DECEMBER 5 /SRNA/ - The Minister of Finance and Treasury in the Council of Ministers, Srđan Amidžić, emphasized that the Government of the Federation of BiH /FBiH/ is blocking the opening of a new border crossing in Gradiška, which is yet another proof that BiH cannot function.

Amidžić said that the adoption of amendments to the Rulebook on Internal Organization at a session of the Managing Board of the Indirect Taxation Authority /ITA/ of BiH — a requirement for opening the border crossing in Gradiška — should have been a mere formality, but was blocked by a member from the FBiH without any logical explanation. He said that the FBiH Government appointed the ITA Managing Board member from the Federation to represent its positions, which means that the official position of the FBiH is that the new border crossing in Gradiška should not be opened. He stated that this is proof that BiH cannot function, and that this example clearly shows that politics has taken over. He added that he has convened another session of the ITA Managing Board for Monday, December 8. "We will exert pressure. I will call on transport companies to gather in front of the FBiH Government building to demand an explanation as to why they are mistreating us," Amidžić said, adding that the new border crossing will benefit everyone. He noted that the amendments to the Rulebook simply needed to specify how many staff members would work at the new border crossing, and pointed out that congestion would be reduced if both crossings in Gradiška were operational. According to him, this also shows how Republika Srpska would fare if it had no say in decision-making. "Everyone should condemn the position of the FBiH Government. Who else reacted apart from the SNSD? Republika Srpska will not allow its decision-making rights to be taken away. Srpska will not tolerate these tricks, and it will respond," Amidžić told RTRS. Speaking about the BiH Reform Agenda, which the European Commission evaluated positively, Amidžić said this proves that it is possible to remain on the European path while preserving one’s identity. "We are preparing two documents that constitute a requirement for the first tranche under the Growth Plan," Amidžić said.