SARAJEVO – Republika Srpska Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic has stated that holding a referendum on Republika Srpska Day – January 9 cannot invoke any criminal liability, because it falls into the domain of political decision and is not directed against anyone.
Commenting on the question asked by the reporters in Sarajevo if she expects a criminal prosecution over the referendum, Cvijanovic has recalled that the decision of the National Assembly to hold a referendum was passed based on the will of all the caucuses and that the referendum will be held in accordance with the decision of the Republika Srpska Commission for Referendum.
She then asked if the civil servants, police officers, farmers, pilots and others would be held criminally liable if they voted?
“The EU is based on the standards of referendum”, said Cvijanovic, adding that it is unacceptable for “the judicial institutions of BiH to invite internationals to sit-in” or to be influenced by anyone.
Directorate General for Neighbourhood Policy, Genoveva Ruiz Calavera, Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, Denis Zvizdic and Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Fadil Novalic, to discuss the implementation of the BiH Reform Agenda.
After the meeting, Republika Srpska Prime Minister has said that a long way is ahead BiH when it comes to the regulation of rule of law.
“We need to take the rule of law seriously, like anyone who wants to be a member of the EU,” said Cvijanovic.
Commenting on a reporter’s question if the referendum will affect tomorrow’s EU Council’s decision on BiH’s EU membership application, Head of the EU Delegation Lars-Gunnar Wigemark has said that he is unable to predict what decision of the member states will be on this issue.
Directorate General for Neighbourhood Policy, Genoveva Ruiz Calavera, Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, Denis Zvizdic and Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Fadil Novalic, to discuss the implementation of the BiH Reform Agenda.
After the meeting, Republika Srpska Prime Minister has said that a long way is ahead BiH when it comes to the regulation of rule of law.
“We need to take the rule of law seriously, like anyone who wants to be a member of the EU,” said Cvijanovic.
Commenting on a reporter’s question if the referendum will affect tomorrow’s EU Council’s decision on BiH’s EU membership application, Head of the EU Delegation Lars-Gunnar Wigemark has said that he is unable to predict what decision of the member states will be on this issue.
“Membership application, as I said, does not depend on a single event but is a part of process which was initiated by the submission of application on February 15, or even much earlier, ten years ago, by signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement,” said Wigemark .
The head of the EU Delegation has added that the rules of law related issues are essential for each country and that the future of this country should be looked to; also it should resolve outstanding issues through the dialogue.
Wigemark has said that the future of BiH, as a promising candidate for the EU, was discussed at today’s meeting and that the focus was on already implemented reforms, but also on those to be implemented in the three-year programme.
“As for the referendum, I hope that you are aware of the comments by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and Enlargement Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, on the need for the issue to be resolved through a dialogue, not to be an obstacle in the main tasks that is ahead for all of us in this country, which is the country’s progress in implementing reforms and the EU accession process,” said Wigemark.