Representatives of several political groups in the European Parliament called, on Tuesday 23 November in the evening, for sanctions against Milorad Dodik, the President of the Bosnian Serb Republic. Member States are divided on the adoption of such measures.
“The EU cannot stand idly by, it must play a much stronger role and use all the tools at its disposal. Pressure must be applied and even sanctions decided in order to preserve territorial integrity, unity and peace”, said Pedro Marques (Portugual), on behalf of the S&D Group, supported by Klemen Grošelj (Renew Europe, Slovenia), who called for sanctions against those who want to dismember the country.
“Milorad Dodik is playing a dangerous game by directly challenging the territorial integrity, sovereignty and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We cannot accept it”, warned Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA, Netherlands), calling for sanctions against him and his supporters.
Calling on the EU to act “decisively, clearly and unambiguously”, Fabio Massimo Castaldo (Italy, non-attached) said that Mr Dodik was not the only one blowing “in the wind of nationalism, with his desire to secede”, but that there were also many external actors, including some EU Member States.
In contrast, Thierry Mariani (ID, France) opposed measures. “Who can believe for a second that sanctions are the beginning of a solution?” he asked, calling the situation a “flagrant demonstration of the diplomatic failure of the EU”, which is a “humiliated actor” in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The MEPs stressed the importance of keeping the country united. “The three communities must come together and be ready to compromise in order to find a lasting solution, not only for the reform of the electoral law, but also for all other important issues related to the security and social perspective of the citizens of this country”, added Andrey Kovachev (EPP, Bulgaria). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)