Balkans | Bosnian Serb leader Dodik: We are seriously considering the independence of Republika Srpska

Milorad Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska, one of the two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said they are seriously considering independence for Republika Srpska.

While Dodik met President Aleksandar Vucic within the framework of his contacts in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, Dodik and Vucic made statements at the joint press conference.

Continuing his separatist rhetoric in Serbia after Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dodik said he informed Vucic of the internal politics of Bosnia and Herzegovina and why the problems had reached their “climax”.

Dodik argued that events escalated with the repeal of the law, which defends the ownership of immovable property for entities, and said: “(Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina), the rights of Dayton and RS must be respected. We have come to such a situation So much so that we are seriously considering the decision of the independence of Republika Srpska.” He said.

Pointing out that the issue regarding immovable property should be resolved as soon as possible, Dodik said, “I also mentioned that we support Serbia’s position (military neutrality) with regard to NATO.” He said.

Vucic also stated that the commitments of the Dayton Peace Treaty must be fulfilled and that they will continue to provide assistance to both entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The problem of immovable property in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Arguing that the immovable property belongs to the entities according to the Dayton Peace Treaty, which ended the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska claims that it also has property management under the said law.

While the issue of immovable property has been a topic that has been discussed since the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it has been debated whether immovable property in the country belongs to the state or the entities that use it.

While the Immovable Property Law, which was voted in December 2022 and is unconstitutional, in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (NSRS), is expected to enter into force on February 28, High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt has not announced that he is suspending the controversial law. controversial.

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 2 also struck down the controversial law on possession of immovable property in Republika Srpska.

Previously, the Constitutional Court had ruled that the authority to manage public property belonged to the entity, and the right of ownership belonged to the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After the decision of the Constitutional Court, Dodik said that he would separate Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina if the issue regarding immovable property was not resolved.