During a debate in the European Parliament on the evening of Wednesday 12 March, MEPs expressed their concern about the political situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, with regard to the Rule of law and foreign interference in the country.
According to Ondřej Kolář (EPP, Czech), Russia is waging a hybrid war against the Union and is making good use of the unstable situation in Bosnia to advance its interests, in particular by supporting the secessionist ambitions of Milorad Dodik (see EUROPE 13588/7), the President of Republika Srpska, the Bosnian Serb entity.
He was supported by his colleague Matjaž Nemec (S&D, Slovenian), who called on the EU to be a constructive partner for the country, arguing that “Milorad Dodik threatens the integrity of Bosnia” and that the Union must succeed in “reducing Moscow’s destructive grip on Republika Srpska”.
“Bosnia is being dragged into a conflict by Dodik, with his accomplices Orbán and Putin, in violation of the Dayton peace agreements”, added Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew Europe, Swedish).
In view of the tensions of recent weeks (see EUROPE 13594/17), reinforcements from the European force (Eufor) have been deployed in Bosnia. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)