FBiH entity Vice President: Dodik, Covic continue denying Bosnian institutions

Milan Dunović (N1)

Bosnian Croat and Serb leader Dragan Covic and Milorad Dodik's visit to Belgrade is a continuation of the trend of systemic denial of Bosnian institutions by the official Belgrade and Zagreb, Vice President of Bosnia's Federation (FBiH) entity Milan Dunovic told N1 on Monday.

“The dinner between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on the one side and the leader of the Croat Democratic Union (HDZ BiH) Dragan Covic and Serb member of Bosnia's Presidency Milorad Dodik is the continuation of a trend from Croatia and Serbia of trying to talk to leaders of constituent peoples in Bosnia,” Dunovic noted.

“We don't have leaders of peoples, we don't have legitimate (peoples’) institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this is a systemic denial of Bosnia's institution. One can ask in what capacity is Dodik travelling – as Presidency member or as the Serb leader, or something else,” he asked.

When asked what the two Bosnian officials are looking for in Belgrade, Dunovic said they are seeking ways to annul the European Commission's report.

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“Obviously, neither Dodik nor Covic like the European Commission's Report on the progress of Bosnia's EU accession talks so now they're visiting neighbouring states trying to annul everything the EU said in it. It doesn't mention the legitimate representation of peoples, nor does it talk about Election Law amendments according to Croat Democratic Union's (HDZ BiH) interpretation of the Ljubic verdict. The HDZ BiH's interpretation of the verdict is completely opposite from that it actually says.” Dunovic concluded.

Earlier in the day, Dragan Covic tweeted he is travelling to Belgrade to discuss Bosnia's stability with the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic. N1 learned that the meeting will also be attended by Milorad Dodik, who visited Zagreb last month where he received an official invitation not as Bosnia's Presidency member, but as Serb representative. After condemnation from both countries, the official Zagreb invited Covic and Bosniak leader Bakir Izetbegovic for talks.

After finding out Covic and Dodik are travelling to Belgrade without him, Izetbegovic condemned the meeting, saying it is a continuation of association of Croatia and Serbia to the detriment of Bosnia and Bosniaks.