On the occasion of the Easter, the President of SBB, Fahrudin Radončić, congratulated the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Monsignor Tomo Vukšić, and all Catholics in BiH and beyond.
- Easter is a holiday that symbolizes hope and faith in the future, generally a holiday that celebrates life. This great Catholic holiday is an opportunity to show solidarity again and nurture mutual understanding and respect.
I want you to welcome and spend your holiday in health and happiness, among your loved ones, family and friends.
These days are also an opportunity to share your holiday joy with your neighbors, which is in the spirit of our good neighborly relations and the tradition of Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Radončić.

This great Catholic holiday is an opportunity to show solidarity again and nurture mutual understanding and respect, said Radončić

Radončić: Share your holiday joy with your neighbors

SBB President Fahrudin Radončić congratulated Easter

Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sifet Podžić is today at the barracks of the Armed Forces of BiH "Rajlovac", where the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Army of RBiH and the parade of the 2nd Infantry (Ranger) Regiment took place told reporters that "we will defend our country if necessary". 

- It is a legal obligation of the Armed Forces of BiH, that is why we exist, it is one of our missions and, if necessary, we will certainly defend the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Minister Podžić.
- We have been living on interim financing for three years now, when some are deliberately obstructing the equipping of the BiH Armed Forces, I must tell them - this country will not be torn apart - said Podžić.
Answering a journalist's question, he said that the security situation in BiH is not good, not because of the war in Ukraine, the security situation in BiH is not good because of the non-functioning of state authorities, because of the non-functioning of the BiH Presidency, the BiH Council of Ministers and the BiH Parliamentary Assembly.
According to him, unfortunately, the Ministry of Defense and members of the Armed Forces of BiH feel that the most.
- There are those who deliberately want to demolish those institutions and bring them to the level that they cannot fulfill their obligations. We are fighting against that, we will fight and it cannot be worse than in 1992 - Minister Podžić pointed out.

Answering a journalist's question, he said that the security situation in BiH is not good

Podžić: If necessary, we will defend the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt congratulated Easter to all the Catholic faithful in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

- Dear believers, may the risen Christ give you the strength and inspiration to persevere and find the way to a better future in these times full of trials. I congratulate you and your families on the occasion of Easter with the desire to spend it in good health and an abundance of God's blessing. Happy Easter - said Schmidt, the OHR said.

I congratulate you and your families on the occasion of Easter with the desire to spend it in good health and an abundance of God's blessing

High Representative Schmidt congratulates Easter

The United States Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Michael J. Murphy visited the Potočari-Srebrenica Memorial Center today and laid flowers at the memorial, thus paying tribute to the innocent victims of genocide.

After paying tribute to the victims of genocide, he spoke with representatives of the Association of Mothers of Srebrenica. He then met with Srebrenica Mayor Mladen Grujičić and his deputy, Hamdija Fejzić.

The US Ambassador told the media that he was primarily in Srebrenica today to pay tribute to the civilian victims of the Srebrenica genocide.

- It is very important to be clear about that and to underline the fact that genocide took place in Srebrenica. In July 1995, groups of the Republika Srpska army, under the command of Ratko Mladić and the political patronage of Radovan Karadžić, committed genocide against Bosniaks boys and men, killing more than 8,000 people.
Mladić and Karadžić are not war heroes, they are war criminals.
No amount of denial or any kind of murals can change that fact, their guilt and evil are eternal. I would like to emphasize that the genocide in Srebrenica and all other war crimes that took place between 1992 and 1995 are the responsibility of individuals.
It is their responsibility and theirs alone, it is not the fault of any ethnic group as a whole. Today, all of us in Bosnia and Herzegovina have one responsibility, and that is to acknowledge the facts and respect the victims.

We need to educate young people, teach them these facts and teach them to respect victims and continue our efforts to find and identify all victims from all ethnicities.

In this way, we would finally provide comfort to all families, and to investigate and prosecute and convict all individuals responsible for the crimes committed - said Murphy.
He believes that only through reconciliation Bosnia and Herzegovina can move forward for the sake of a better future for all its citizens.
- The wounds of this country need to be healed. And to build Bosnia and Herzegovina as a prosperous and democratic country, a country for the grandchildren and children of those who lost their children in the war. There is absolutely no doubt that a political crisis is happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Those responsible for the political crisis are politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is their responsibility to resolve the crisis - Murphy said.

Those responsible for the political crisis are politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is their responsibility to resolve the crisis

Ambasador Murphy: Mladić and Karadžić are not war heroes, they are war criminals

The State Department released a report on human rights in the world for last year, which included Bosnia and Herzegovina. The report was presented yesterday by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
BiH has achieved extremely poorly when it comes to respect for human rights, and the report also mentions the Law on Defamation in BiH.
A special part of the report is about great pressures on the media, journalists, and the report states that 212,000 KM were seized from "Avaz-roto press".
- While the country has decriminalized defamation, many complaints continued to be brought before courts against journalists, often resulting in extremely high fines. Noteworthy court decisions against journalists included temporary bans on the posting or publication of certain information as well as extremely high and disproportionate compensatory payments.&nbsp;In June and July, the Municipal Court of Sarajevo issued two verdicts ordering payment of unusually high fines and penalties in defamation cases against two media outlets. Following a court order, more than 212,000 convertible marks (KM) ($127,000) were seized from the bank account of the publishing house Avaz-roto Press, based on a 2009 defamation case and a related 2016-2019 case about publishing the court ruling.&nbsp;

Avaz-roto Press was found guilty and had previously already paid KM 5,000 ($3,000) in damages and covered additional accompanying court costs. In July the online media outlet Zurnal was ordered to pay more than KM 170,000 ($102,000) based on a first-instance court ruling in a defamation case. The BH Journalists association expressed concern that such excessive fines and penalties could seriously jeopardize the work and business of media outlets, noting the need to find a balance between the economic power of the media, the public interest, and the right to compensation. The Steering Board of the BiH Press and Online Media Council expressed concern, noting that such high fines and penalties are at odds with projecting journalistic integrity and endanger the work of the media - it is stated in the report of State department.
Let us remind you, Judge Mirsada Karahmetović, after the already paid verdict from 2016 for defamation to the Prosecutor of the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office in Tuzla Jasminka Djedović (in the amount of 5,001 KM), made a decision on June 22nd last year, and on June 25th from the account "Avaz-roto press" removed an incredible 207,900 KM of non-existent court penalties, increased by 4,256 KM of enforcement costs, which totals more than 212,000 KM.

"Avaz-roto Press" was found guilty and had previously paid 5,000 KM ($ 3,000) in damages and covered additional accompanying court costs, according to a State Department report

The report was presented by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

State Department report: Why 212 thousand KM were seized from "Avaz-roto press"

The National Assembly of the entity of Republika Srpska (RSNA) yesterday, at a special session, which ended later in the afternoon, voted on five decisions of the Presidency of BiH in which a member of the BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik did not receive sufficient support for his vetoes. 

The RSNA rejected the proclamation of the protection of the vital national interest against five decisions of the Presidency of BiH, which means that there will be no veto on these decisions.

Dodik demanded that these decisions be declared harmful to Serb national interests, believing that the Presidency of BiH made them without consensus.

The National Assembly of the RS did not confirm by a two-thirds majority the statement of the member of the Presidency of BiH from the RS on declaring the Decisions of the Presidency of BiH, adopted at the 25th regular session of the Presidency of BiH held on March 31, 2022, very harmful to vital interests.
The National Assembly did not confirm by a two-thirds majority the decision to confirm the Statement of the BiH Presidency Member from the RS on the promulgation of the Decision approving the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding between the BiH Central Election Commission and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in BiH (OSCE) at a regular session of the Presidency of BiH held on March 31, 2022, very detrimental to the vital interests of the RS.
Also, the RSNA rejected a decision to confirm the Statement of the BiH Presidency Member from the RS on the proclamation of the Decision on approving the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding regarding cooperation in the field of elections between the CEC BiH and the State Election Office of Hungary, which was adopted without consensus at the 25th regular session of the BiH Presidency, held on March 31, 2022, to be very detrimental to the vital interests of the RS.

The RSNA rejected a decision to confirm the Statement of the BiH Presidency Member from the RS on the promulgation of the Decision on approving the conclusion of the Agreement on BiH's participation in the international computer and information literacy survey ICILS 2023, which was adopted without consensus at the 25th regular session of the BiH Presidency on March 31, 2022, to be detrimental to the vital interests of the RS.
In addition, another decision to confirm the Statement of the BiH Presidency member from RS on the proclamation of the Decision on approving the conclusion of the Agreement on BiH's participation in the international study on learning and teaching TALIS 2024, which was adopted without consensus at the 25th regular session of the BiH Presidency held on March 31, 2022, was also rejected as Dodik has claimed it was detrimental to the vital interests of the RS.
The fifth decision was also rejected by the RSNA referring to the confirmation of the Statement of the BiH Presidency member from the RS on the proclamation of the Decision on approving the conclusion of the Agreement on BiH's participation in international research on mathematics and natural sciences TIMSS 2023, which was adopted without consensus at the 25th regular session Presidency of BiH, held on March 31, 2022.

The RSNA rejected the proclamation of the protection of the vital national interest against five decisions of the Presidency of BiH, which means that there will be no veto on these decisions

No majority for Dodik's veto in RSNA, the decisions of BiH Presidency remain in force

The target of the United States' sanctions are actors whose actions have been destabilizing throughout Western Balkans, it was announced yesterday by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) which has imposed sanctions against an MP in the BiH Parliament Asim Sarajlić and Gordana Tadić, former Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated seven individuals and one entity across four countries in the Western Balkans pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14033. This is the second action OFAC has taken under E.O. 14033, targeting persons who threaten the stability of the region through corruption, criminal activity, and other destabilizing behavior. Yesterday’s action reinforces Treasury’s commitment to promoting accountability for actors in the Western Balkans region engaged in destabilizing and corrupt behavior. Such corrupt behavior undermines the rule of law and economic growth, and it deprives people in these countries of opportunities and stability.

- The people designated yesterday constitute a serious threat to regional stability, institutional trust, and the aspirations of those seeking democratic and judicious governance in the Western Balkans - said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.&nbsp;- Combatting corruption around the world is a major priority of the Biden-Harris administration, and Treasury will not hesitate to use all tools at our disposal to hold corrupt and destabilizing actors accountable.As part of this action, the Department of State is designating individuals from North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022, instituting what is commonly known as a visa ban. The Department of State is also designating their immediate family members under 7031(c). This action renders them and their immediate family members ineligible for entry into the United States.

Following the Treasury’s January 5, 2022 designations of Milorad Dodik and one business entity under his control, OFAC yesterday designated two more corrupt actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

Asim Sarajlić is a member of the parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and was until recently a high-ranking Party of Democratic Action (SDA) official in BiH. Sarajlić is the infamous subject of the "Asim affair", a political corruption scandal in which Sarajlić was caught promising to secure a job for the wife of a party delegate in exchange for a requested vote on a political party position. Sarajlić has been indicted for additional offenses, including abuse of office and influence peddling.
Sarajlić has also abused his position in relation to BH Telecom, a large BiH state-owned enterprise. In this capacity, Sarajlić personally accepted payment from job applicants in exchange for positions, and otherwise exerted an inordinate influence over the hiring process. As part of this activity, Sarajlić recommended candidates who were reportedly severely underqualified, undermining the integrity of the company.
Sarajlić was designated pursuant to E.O. 14033 for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption related to the Western Balkans, including corruption, by, on behalf of, or otherwise related to a government in the Western Balkans, or a current or former government official at any level of government in the Western Balkans, such as the misappropriation of public assets, expropriation of private assets for personal gain or political purposes, or bribery.

Gordana Tadić served as Chief Prosecutor of the State Prosecutor’s Office of BiH from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, she was officially removed from her position by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council following her failure to assign cases to prosecutors through an automated case distribution system designed to prevent prosecutor assignment decisions based on personal or political reasons. In addition, Tadić reportedly used her position as Chief Prosecutor to promote her own personal and familial interests. Furthermore, she allegedly collected state housing fees through a fictitious contract.

Tadić was designated pursuant to E.O. 14033 for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having directly or indirectly engaged in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the Western Balkans, stated the US State Department in a press release.&nbsp;

Yesterday’s action reinforces Treasury’s commitment to promoting accountability for actors in the Western Balkans region engaged in destabilizing and corrupt behavior

US sanctions former BiH Chief Prosecutor and an MP in the state parliament Tadić and Sarajlić

The United Kingdom sanctioning Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović for their undermining of the legitimacy and functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina is reasonable considering the failure of these two politicians to meet the requirements of responsible politics, and a result of Mr. Dodik’s and Ms. Cvijanović’s repeated violations of State Constitution and the rule of law, stated today the High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt.

 

The High Representative has thanked the United Kingdom for its commitment to the stability and security of BiH.
- These are sanctions aimed at Mr. Dodik and Ms. Cvijanović and not at the RS and its people. Dodik and Cvijanović missed every opportunity to get back into constructive dialogue for the benefit of the people in this country, including the ones in the entity of Republic of Srpska.

Instead, they have chosen to undermine the DPA and the Constitution. They will have to bear the consequences of their words and deeds, and the UK sanctions are the continuation of the consequences that started in January with the US sanctions - said Schmidt.

- The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not negotiable, the attempts to undermine State Institutions are not acceptable. I call on all politicians to be aware that they are elected to serve the State and the people of BiH - concluded the High Representative.

Dodik and Cvijanović missed every opportunity to get back into constructive dialogue for the benefit of the people in this country, including the ones in the entity of Republic of Srpska

Schmidt: Dodik and Cvijanović will have to bear the consequences of their words and deeds

A member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik commented yesterday at a special session of the National Assembly of the entity of Republic of Srpska on the sanctions imposed against him by the Government of the United Kingdom and said he did not care about it. 

- Those sanctions will bring down to a minimum every kind of procedure or conversation with the British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Field, and that is excellent - said Dodik.
British sanctions mean that Dodik will not be able to travel to the United Kingdom or use or access any property they he might own in the United Kingdom.
- I do not have any property in the United Kingdom and I have not been in that country for more than ten years - Dodik added.
He also said that the "British never had good intentions towards the Serbs."

To remind you, the Government of the United Kingdom sanctioned Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović for their violation of the legitimacy and functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The UK Foreign Minister Elizabeth Truss said the two politicians were deliberately undermining the hard-achieved peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Encouraged by Putin, their reckless behavior is a threat to stability and security throughout the Western Balkans. With these harsh sanctions, we are showing that the enemies of peace will be called to account - said Foreign Minister Lizz Truss.
She pointed out that these were not sanctions against the entity of Republika Srpska or its citizens, but that they were "sanctions aimed at two people who have behaved irresponsibly in their positions."

He also said that the "British never had good intentions towards the Serbs"

Dodik: I will bring down to a minimum any kind of conversation with Ambassador Field

Yesterday, the UK Government has announced the first UK sanctions under the Bosnia and Herzegovina sanctions regime.The UK Government has sanctioned Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović for their undermining of the legitimacy and functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

<h2>Their reckless behavior threatens stability</h2>

The UK sanctions mean that Dodik and Cvijanović will be unable to travel to the UK or use or access any assets they may have in the UK.

- These two politicians are deliberately undermining the hard-won peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Encouraged by Putin, their reckless behavior threatens stability and security across the Western Balkans. With these tough sanctions, we are showing that the enemies of peace will be held to account - said UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
These are not sanctions against Republic of Srpska and its citizens. These are sanctions against two individuals who have acted irresponsibly with the power entrusted to them, stated the UK Embassy Sarajevo.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 allows the UK to designate individuals who undermine or threaten the sovereignty, territorial integrity, international personality or constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its peace, stability or security, obstruct the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (GFAP), or any other action, policy or activity which undermines the GFAP. 

Asset freeze: an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person and which are held in the UK. It will also prevent funds or economic resources from being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person.
Travel ban: a travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual to be an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.&nbsp;

The UK sanctions mean that Dodik and Cvijanović will be unable to travel to the UK or use or access any assets they may have in the UK

UK Government has introduced sanctions against Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović

The leader of the Alliance for a Better Future of BiH (Savez za bolju budućnost – SBB), Fahrudin Radončić, reacted to the new statements of the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović.
- The announcement by the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović that "he is coming to BiH to line up the HVO on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment ", today's 1st Infantry Regiment of the BiH Armed Forces, where he will present several meals, represents an unnecessary blow to the sovereignty of Bosnia Herzegovina!
Such worrying moves, that the president of one sovereign state intends to line up the army of another sovereign state, with extremely dubious intentions, are an indication that Zoran Milanović does not respect our state, its institutions, or the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. His populist moves could have detrimental consequences for relations between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and are contrary to standards in interstate and diplomatic relations.
Arriving at the HVO line-up in Mostar, for which the International Court of Justice in The Hague found involved in a joint criminal enterprise aimed at ethnically cleansing parts of BiH of non-Croats, Milanović is definitely pointing the finger at Bosniaks, as the most numerous people but also the biggest victims of genocide and war atrocities of multiple aggression on BiH. 
Therefore, Milanović should reconsider his decision and give up coming to our country, because this will further contribute to the deterioration of the already delicate Bosniak-Croat relations - the SBB said.

Milanović should reconsider his decision and give up coming to our country, because this will further contribute to the deterioration of the already delicate Bosniak-Croat relations, the statement said

Radončić: Milanović is definitely pointing the finger at Bosniaks, as the most numerous people but also the biggest victims of genocide and war atrocities of multiple aggression on BiH

Radončić: Milanović should give up on the HVO line-up in Mostar and he should stop populist provocations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed bilateral and regional issues with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a phone call on Monday.

During the call, the two leaders spoke about Turkiye-Germany relations and regional matters, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war, according to a statement by Turkiye’s Communications Directorate.
Erdogan stressed the importance of strengthening the relations between Ankara and Berlin as well as preserving close cooperation at all levels.
The Turkish president also highlighted that his country has resolutely continued its efforts aimed at bringing an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

In phone call, Turkish President Erdogan stresses Turkiye’s efforts to bring end to Russia-Ukraine war

Turkish, German leaders discuss bilateral, regional issues

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will travel to Poland on Monday evening to call for tougher sanctions against Russia, and hold talks with NATO and G7 countries in Brussels later in the week.

Truss will meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Warsaw this evening and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau on Tuesday.
She will announce £10 million ($13.1 million) in support for groups working with survivors of sexual violence in Ukraine. This came after reports of alleged rape by Russian forces in the country. She will also visit aid groups supporting Ukrainian refugees.
In a statement ahead of her visit, Truss said:- (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is yet to show he is serious about diplomacy. A tough approach from the UK and our allies is vital to strengthen Ukraine’s hand in negotiations.&nbsp;Britain has helped lead the way with sanctions to cripple the Putin war machine. We will do more to ramp up the pressure on Russia and we will keep pushing others to do more.&nbsp;We will continue to support those who are suffering as a result of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, including the victims of sexual violence and those in need of humanitarian support.

Liz Truss to meet Ukrainian counterpart on Monday evening, Polish counterpart on Tuesday

UK foreign secretary to visit Poland for talks

The guest of the last edition of this week's show "Rezime" on the Federal Television was Fahrudin Radončić, president of the Alliance for a Better Future (Savez za bolju budućnost SBB).
Radončić spoke about all current topics in the country and the world. The president of SBB said that the European Union became aware of BiH after the Russian aggression on Ukraine.
- Unfortunately, in that great tragedy, that brutal aggression, the EU realized that the region of the Western Balkans was left to itself for a long time, and even to the Russian hybrid war and many things and influence. It is really obvious that the EU is slowly but surely starting to dedicate itself to our region, and we must use that opportunity. The situation in the country is chaotic. The Council of Ministers is not functioning, the House of Representatives is not functioning, the FBiH Government has been in a technical mandate for three and a half years, the FBiH Constitutional Court is not in full capacity. You have a lot of paralysis and it is time to help us get out of the crisis, because we cannot do it alone - said Radončić.
He pointed out that the responsibility, above all, lies with domestic politicians.
- If we do not have, and we did not have the capacity as BiH to create a modern state, to develop it, to employ, build, meet the standards set by the EU, if we are constantly dealing with entity and ethnic and national problems, if within our corps we invent traitors and orthodox believers then it is completely normal that the primary responsibility is on the domestic authorities. But the EU at one time acted like a bureaucratized apparatus, without what is called stronger leadership. With the change now in the EU itself because of what is happening, by strengthening the German role, I think that we will now have a dynamic partner in the EU who will seek and put pressure on BiH to start behaving more responsibly towards its citizens, and then towards the EU and its obligations.

<h2>Sanction for Dodik will certainly be</h2>

Radončić believes that new circumstances consider new relationships.
- You saw that Mr. Janša went to Ukraine, to the attacked Kiev, and a month ago he was kind to Putin. The same thing is with Orban. Those things will be strengthened in favor of the EU. As for Mr. Dodik, he is a lost cause and a lost "territory" in the sense of his head. That head was too attached to Moscow, to Putin. We can assume everything, but we have no reference reason to believe that Dodik will change in a positive way. He won't. He is absolutely a Russian man and I think in that sense everything he has done so far shows that we should not be naive and that in this fear of what is happening to Russia under heavy economic sanctions, he is trying to calm the vocabulary in hopes of avoiding sanctions. The sanction will certainly be. 
Regarding Dodik's insulting attacks on Avaz, he says:
&nbsp;- I think that Mr. Dodik is making a strategic mistake. The fact that Avaz journalists published parts of a possible indictment means that journalists should not deal with the work of prosecutors and judges. The presumption of innocence applies to everyone, even to him, but Dodik does not understand is that what Avaz's journalist do is what every citizen of Sarajevo thinks. I mean the huge number of Croats and the significant number of Serbs he wants to lead. It is about his private businesses and it is about the completely legal right of state bodies and the Prosecutor's Office to investigate that. The fact that you show the middle finger to the journalists and then try to reduce the damage by saying that it refers to Avaz and BN Television is not proof that you are civilized. You are a primitive and in that nervousness he shows his true face.
He believes that the separatists, primarily in the person of Milorad Dodik, were counting on BiH and the Western Balkans to serve as bribes to the great powers.
- After Ukraine, this is no longer a realistic scenario. Through our MP Edita Đapo, SBB demanded that Russia be excluded from the PIC. When and if that happens, then the High Representative will have much easier room for maneuver to use the Bonn powers and make some decisions that will be repressive towards the politicians who are Russian branches here. I am really convinced that as far as the war is concerned, as far as the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH are concerned, we should not share these concerns, but we should try to solve our internal problems and turn to the economy.

<h2>The EU rightly expects some result from us</h2>

When it comes to changes to the Election Law, Radončić says that the EU rightly expects some result from us.
- This time, they expected us to implement the verdicts of the largest court instances and to show that we are able to make an interethnic compromise, that we are able to unblock the Federation. The negotiations were very complex and, unlike Neum, we really had a result. When the negotiations in Neum ended, I then asked foreigners and locals to try it, and I will ask Mr. Konaković to have another series of talks. And we made those meetings. We managed not to turn off that car, but to keep it idle, and we continued in Sarajevo. We have made a dozen very important agreements that will remain as a permanent category for all future negotiators. We fell as negotiators on 2-3 strategic things, but that does not mean that we did not finish other eight - said the president of SBB.
He points out that he does not know if there will be more negotiations at all.
- Yesterday I heard Mr. Izetbegović that as far as the SDA is concerned, they will agree to negotiations taking place only after the end of the local elections, that is, after 2024. I'm not sure we can have this situation for another two and a half years. I really think that if we, as SBB, participate in these negotiations, these are the points where no one had anything against them. We agreed on unblocking - said Radončić.
He states that Konaković and he entered the negotiations when the parties of the left did not.
- We did a very brave thing. After the meeting, Mr. Izetbegović commented on Mr. Konaković in a context that I think is not correct. Here, is Dino betraying us, and he went to the hand of Dragan Čović. It's not like that. First, the greatest patriotism now is to find an agreement. Secondly, let's not weaken that Bosniak political factor. No election campaign is worth qualifying someone as a traitor.

<h2>This situation suits the SNSD, HDZ and SDA</h2>

Radončić believes that Croats are in a situation that is less favorable than the position of the SDA because Bosniaks have already elected them a member of the Presidency three times.
- They want to regain that right in every way and they do not want to be reduced to a national minority. In this sense, the HDZ may be more interested in negotiating regarding those two strategic issues. But I honestly think that this situation suits the SNSD, HDZ and SDA.
Asked how to reconcile ethnic and civic, he replied: 
-We must understand that Europe is a family of nation states. That wisdom here is stabilizing the Federation, and consequently the whole of BiH. Finding a balance between civic and national. The concept of one man and one vote is not enforceable because Serbs and Croats do not want it, and they have all the mechanisms in the House of Peoples to prevent such a law. 
On the reduction of the House of Peoples and the vital national interest, he says that this is not only a request of the HDZ but of all political factors of Croats.
- They made a step forward, and even made a concession that where it was not foreseen, in the debate on the implementation of court judgments, they allowed and agreed and negotiated the reduction of the powers of the House of Peoples. That is where we made perhaps the biggest step forward.
Radončić points out that international officials have made extreme, even physical, efforts in the negotiations.
- I believe that we will balance this by the next talks and that we will solve this issue that scares someone that they will become a national minority.
Why would any politician in BiH mind the conflict of interest law?
He emphasizes that it is a great thing that both Serbs and Croats and Bosniaks demanded that we have accelerated accession to the EU.
- The bad news is double face. Why would any politician in BiH mind the conflict of interest law? That law prevents corruption, nepotism and serious crime committed by political elites. And in that sense, it is very unfortunate that they did not support that law.
He states that a legal basis has been made that the agreement, if it is reached, should be submitted for public debate.
- That everyone can correct that text, give their remarks and that the text that has just been polished goes to the House of Representatives for discussion. When it passes, who guarantees us that Dodik will not overthrow it even in the House of Representatives, let alone in the House of Peoples. I do not think that there is a party or leader on the Bosniak side who would, in that sense, trade with Dodik. If we had managed to sort this out, Dodik would be much more normal and cooperative under the pressure of sanctions and what is happening to him for a reason. The biggest problem of the House of Peoples is that the SDA enabled the SNSD to have four delegates and to be able to overthrow everything.

When it comes to technical changes to the Election Law, the president of SBB says that this is an essential thing, but that very little has been discussed about it.
- When it was negotiated, we went for the option to accept all or nothing. And that is music for the ears of SDA, HDZ, SNSD. We have one problem with the CEC. The CEC interpreted that electronic voter registration and ballot scanning are not possible for these elections, but rather than local elections. We have that obstacle and we have an insurmountable obstacle in the statement of Dodik, who said that the electronic way of registering voters is out of the question, those from the West want to steal me and I will not allow that - said the president of SBB.
He emphasizes that there is too much money in the budget.
- I am a man who sees a way out in the fact that the international community is starting to act even more responsibly, but for the first time since Ashdown left as High Representative, in terms of using the Bonn powers. With this way of us agreeing, we will not agree. Schmidt should first sanction the leaders of the destruction of BiH - Radončić concluded.

He is absolutely a Russian man and everything he has done so far shows that we should not be naive

It is time for Schmidt to sanction the destructive figures, Konaković was not a traitor, Dodik's behaviour will not improve

The guest of the show '7 plus' on Hayat TV was Fahrudin Radončić, president of the Alliance for a Better Future (Savez za bolju budućnost SBB). In an interesting and dynamic interview, the SBB leader spoke about negotiations on electoral reforms, the situation in the country, political relations, harmonization of Bosniak-Croat relations, Christian Schmidt, High Representative in BiH, security and social situation in the country, but also the attitude of regional states and their leaders towards BiH.
Radončić assessed the negotiations regarding the electoral reform in BiH as extremely important.
- These negotiations were at the level of the April package, that we have been searching for a solution for ten years so that Bosniaks do not elect Croats to the Presidency for the fourth time, that we searched for and reached excellent solutions, we achieved the greatest result thanks to Mr. Izetbegović, without any vanity, who strongly insisted and finally opened that package of unblocking the Federation, unblocking the appointment of judges of the Constitutional Court of the Federation, unblocking the appointment of the President and Vice President of the Federation, unblocking the appointment of the Prime Minister and the entire Government.

<h2>Harmonize relations between Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats</h2>

And I'm really sorry that we didn't score, and in a way that provided the basis. It is said that we were looking for a basis and that is where great doubts and unnecessary controversies arise. Neither Mr. Izetbegović, nor I, nor others thought that we were signing anything there, nor was it required of us, but to give a basis to our parliamentarians, to give a basis for public debate so that the academic community, professors of constitutional law, media such as Hayat can organize roundtables with experts and they are finally shape that document. I think we did a great job, a lot was done between Neum and Sarajevo, because we did nothing in Neum. And in Sarajevo we made and solved these topics that I said a moment ago, except for the member of the Presidency, whoever continues the negotiations now has one agreed set and in that sense I am not dissatisfied with that, but I am of course dissatisfied that we did nothing because we ruined the result on which we have worked hard for four days - said Radončić, adding that the negotiations were at times difficult and nervous:
- It doesn't matter which side, it is normal when negotiations are underway, but I want to believe that we will try to solve something quickly because Bosnia and Herzegovina in this state cannot last long without even greater turbulence. The House of Representatives at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not working, the Presidency is blocked, the Federation is completely in collapse. The Government of the Federation has not been appointed for three and a half years, Mr. Novalić has been practically the Prime Minister for eight years, four years in the technical mandate, with great chances to be in the technical mandate for another four years, which has never been recorded in the world for someone to be in the technical mandate for eight years Many institutions did not get their leaders in accordance with the law, with full mandates and I think that all participants must be aware that this level of Bosniak-Croat relations, the negotiations aimed at harmonizing Bosniak-Croat relations, harmonizing the situation in the Federation because then it is easier to defend ourselves against the Republika Srpska, we have not achieved that and it must not last too long in the moments of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
On the statement of the journalist, that the electoral way of elections was mentioned as the most probable and most acceptable possibility, following the example of America on the one hand, the president of SBB explained what the problem is with this way of elections in BiH.
- America is a model for a free and democratic world and they elect the president of America in two or three percent of statistical errors. The problem with the implementation of the electoral model in Bosnia and Herzegovina is that it would amount to much more. Whether the vote in Goražde and Sarajevo is worth one in six or seven times, that is, one in six or seven hundred percent or a vote from Posavina and a vote from Sarajevo or Tuzla. In that sense, it was possible to correct and talk about some others, to keep the electoral way, about some other numbers and I think we didn't, when I say I don't mean myself, but some people didn't have enough patience to simulate different situations in order to make solutions in numbers a very complicated matter and it is difficult to imagine for an ordinary person.
Radončić also clarified the theory that most of the proposals went in the direction of formally satisfying the verdicts from Strasbourg, and essentially in the direction of satisfying ethnic interests.
- You have to be legalists. We have dealt with all the verdicts that discriminated against others and I think we have dealt with them well. You can't fall for the story of the civic parties. I would like the most in the world, if this country is one man, one vote, but Serbs and Croats do not accept that. We have an Constitution that is ethnic, we can change it as part of a process that will take a year, five or ten. At this moment, the ethnic prefix has been abolished, we have even succeeded in some new variations, but in life you cannot forbid Serbs and Croats, or even us Bosniaks, to feel that way and make this state what it is in Dayton, and Dayton has the force of a peace conference like the Berlin Congress, that it is a state of three peoples, two entities and now we will add the Others. Wisdom and the future of this country in its safe sense, it will survive, no one can overthrow it, no one can enslave it, but that we have harmonized relations between Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks and that civic option. Not everything is black and white, there are also gray colors. How deeply we will find reconciliation between these two concepts, ethnic and national, I deeply believe, especially when the time comes for civic parties to join talks or negotiations, that this country has that democratic capacity and finds what is in the best interest of every citizen - said Radončić.

The president of SBB also answered what the greatest fear of Croats as a constituent people is.
- We have to look at the situation in a simple way. Bosniaks voted to elect Mr. Komšić as the Croat member of the Presidency. He was legally elected, whether it is legitimate can be debated, someone says yes and no. I think that 51 percent of us Bosniaks, Croats are people who have 17 or 18 percent, they are afraid that we will majorize them. If you elect a member of the Presidency, they are afraid that we will move on. You have Mr. Izetbegović, who rightly says that Croats have too many positions in the Federation.
Excellent, Mr. Bakir, who gave them those positions? SDA did, I didn't give it to them. You have these unprincipled blows. I am not saying that Izetbegović is unprincipled, it is a ping-pong of responsibility who has more or less positions, but the matter and the problem should be viewed strategically, to harmonize Croat-Bosniak relations, so that we as Bosniaks do not feel threatened that too many positions are being taken away from us in relation to the number, and that Croats do not live in fear that, since they are a minority in the Government, the minority is in the Federation House of Representatives, where there are 98 deputies and the Croats cannot get over the number from 18, so that they are not majorized in the House of Peoples. This is their last line of defense, as they say, they do not want, and they transparently told us, to become a national minority, because it depends on their signature whether the Constitution will change. They will never sign to be a national minority. So compromise is the mother of success. We must know what we do not want and we did not want to give in to Mr. Izetbegović, me or others, what we want to accept, and what we still need to discuss - Radončić emphasized.
The journalist also asked about the alleged "guarantees that Dragan Čović asked for".
-I didn't see it that way." He was looking for a model that suits him, of course, which is what politicians do. We cannot give guarantees to anyone, no model in the world can guarantee anyone that 100 percent will be elected as a member of the Presidency. In this model, it could even happen that Croats elect a Croat, one Croat, and we elect Željko Komšić and thus elect another Croat as a member of the Presidency. I think there was basically a fair play story, but of course it requires a lot of analysis and numbers in the electorate to give everyone an equal chance, I think we had two different versions in that sense, which were a good basis for conversation and I think that this will have to be worked out - said the president of SBB and added that it was a great fortune that the mediators were very well-intentioned:
- We are very lucky that Angelina Eichhorst and the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH Johann Sattler, together with the US Ambassador Michael Murphy, were a kind of mediator, that their expert teams presented to us what they learned from our speeches, our conversations, they are phenomenally well-intentioned. I tell you this responsibly, because I am not someone who lives by politics to have something to fear. They did not support anyone, they only supported the citizens of BiH. There was no favoritism, and in that sense I am sure that Bosniaks had to pay attention primarily to what Washington says and what Brussels says. We can be neither Russian nor Turkish influence next to these two which are both civilizationally and security optimally and in that sense I really expect that we will have more to respect the efforts of these people, because here it happened that even some political parties and some the media has made a harangue against the mediator. Whether it was Palmer, whether it was Escobar, whether it was Angelina (Eichhorst), whether it was Sattler, we shouldn't do that. What do Bosniaks need in this situation to make their friends as people who are afraid of dirty media blows and to look at us as people who destroy their credibility. That is not necessary.
To the statement of the host that Milorad Dodik, a member of the Presidency of BiH and the president of the SNSD, is very angry with him, after the hearing in the "Pavlović bank" case, and that he called him out in an ugly way, Radončić said:
- Mr. Dodik asks us Bosniaks to be equally primitive when it comes to polemics with Banja Luka. I am not Bakir Izetbegović who falls for it. He says "Sarajevo is Tehran", Bakir says "you have commited genocide". This brings big points in both constituencies, but the quarrel proves, every quarrel, that Bosnia and Herzegovina is not possible. So you and Mr. Dodik need to do what I do. Mr. Mile, Dodik, whatever you want, you have no problem with Mr. Radončić, nor with "Avaz", you have no problem with journalists, you have a problem with a specific potential indictment.
Here, I will be correct and I will say that the presumption of innocence of everyone must be respected until a final verdict is reached, but you must respect state institutions, the Prosecutor's Office that is hearing you and asking you to explain where you bought this glass of water or building or house in Belgrade. So, there is no controversy, Dodik can strike as much as he wants, he must understand one thing - that his mentor, Mr. Putin and Russia, have been declassified due to economic sanctions. He is more scared because of Putin and what Russia is experiencing when Europe puts its cards and its forces together with the United States, there is the trauma of Mr. Dodik, not in Fahrudin Radončić or in the writings of journalists to whom he shows his middle finger and demonstrates primitivism, which I do not wish to comment on. I wouldn't pay attention to him anymore. You have two options, that he shows in the last seven or eight days he repeats and says "I want Bosnia and Herzegovina, I recognize the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I want that", but even such a Dodik, you know, a wolf changes his hair, but his temper never. He is a politician who has no perspective. I don't think of him personally, it's just his policy that has no perspective.
We need to build Bosnia and Herzegovina, to harmonize relations with Croats, to send Serbs from the opposition a hand that attracts them to Sarajevo as the capital, and most importantly to dedicate ourselves to economic issues. People leave us. While we are arguing, families leave every day, prices jump, they go wild. I do not see serious state programs to counter the economic crisis and inflation. In that sense, Dodik should no longer be taken seriously.
Asked if it was time for Christian Schmidt, the High Representative in BiH, to use more of his powers, Radončić said:
- Mr. Schmidt had a bad, burdensome situation at the beginning, that Russia even denied his legality. Now Russia is excluding itself from the elite world decision-making in international institutions, and we really expect that, and that is what our MP Edita Đapo asked, to exclude Russia from the Peace Implementation Council and the PIC Steering Board, so that the PIC could, and that is 50- even countries, the institution at the same time, could work more efficiently and faster. Here, too, we must ask the question in good faith of Mr. Schmidt, who has proved to be a great friend of BiH, all its citizens, both entities and a very stable political figure and those behind the OHR, whether the Bonn powers are something like this drawn a map behind your back or is it a mechanism to be used. At this moment, when the ruling elites cannot offer anything to BiH, except that they will try to talk again in two and a half years, the space has opened for the OHR and the High Representative to start using their powers to help BiH citizens and to help this country. They were formed because of that, they have been there for so many years.
He also commented on EUFOR forces that have increased their presence in BiH.
- We now have this new element of the whole security situation, although it does not look like that, Russia's aggression against Ukraine. People, who until a month ago feared that there would be a war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, now understand that in such changed circumstances, where Europe is demonstrating its strength for the first time, where the United States is demonstrating its strength in Europe, where EUFOR is stepping up, we should not be afraid of war, but security incidents can happen. The most important thing here is that the citizens simply know - there is no war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, no war in the region, no aggression in the region because all countries in the region are practically surrounded, in the positive sense of the word, and that is our incredible happiness, with NATO countries Czech Republic, I do not know, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Albania, Montenegro. We are tucked away in a NATO space and in that sense I do not expect any problems for the security and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They are a much bigger guarantee than it seems, I know that very well, there are a lot of countries there. It doesn't matter if there are a thousand or two of them, it is better to have more of them, because of the manifestation of one situation, but it is great that they are there and whoever understands geostrategic, military stories has a precise message that we are absolutely protected - said Radončić.

<h2>Self-isolation is more dangerous than isolation</h2>

Are certain gatherings, specifically the gathering of Ravnogorci in Višegrad, postponed because of that, the journalist asked?
- Well, I can probably assume, as well as you, that they realized when the off-road vehicles of the international military forces are constantly walking that it is best for the Chetniks to take refuge and return to the underground where they were for more than 40 years - said the SBB leader.
In the end, the question was, how many friends does BiH have in the neighborhood?
- Bosniaks must, I always say that, self-isolation is more dangerous than isolation, they must be interactive. We have to go to Belgrade and Zagreb and talk to Vučić, to fight for Vučić. In what sense? Don't let Vučić, who is otherwise phenomenally informed, don't let him have all the information from Milorad Dodik, let him have it from Bakir Izetbegović, let him have it from Fahrudin Radončić, let him have it from Nermin Nikšić. What are we afraid to talk to our neighbors about? The same thing is with Milanović.
Milanović gave several severe insults to us Bosniaks, but then he reacted brilliantly when he said "Ukraine cannot get candidate status before BiH", and then it cannot get it, I mean Ukraine, if Croatia does not raise its hand, because it is decided there in a way that everyone votes "yes" or it's worth nothing. While preserving our territorial, national, all kinds of identity, we must act as if our neighbors are well-meaning. We must be ready for the second scenario, but you see, Mr. Vučić was the first to send vaccines to BiH, now he has made a public statement that BiH cannot lack wheat, while Serbia has it. He gave us 22 indictments for our Prosecutor's Office of BiH to do that. We should not act on such signals in the way you let go, that was given by Vučić. We should respect that and we should try to harmonize relations with all neighbors. We have no problem with Montenegro, thank God, we have it with Croatia and Serbia, let's solve it because it is in the best interest. I expect that after the elections in Serbia, which are very soon, these things will be harmonized in a much more precise way that is the case now - Radončić concluded.
Watch the complete interview in the video.

Neither Mr. Izetbegović, nor I, nor others thought that we were signing anything, nor was it required of us, but it was to give a basis to our parliamentarians, to give a basis for public debate, said Radončić

It is a great pity due to the failure of negotiations, Dodik is a political past

Today, the President of SBB (Savez za bolju budućnost), Fahrudin Radončić, received the Ambassador of Malaysia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Raja Saifful Ridzuwan bin Raja Kamaruddin.
President Radončić and the Malaysian Ambassador discussed the current political situation in BiH, the region and beyond.
Also, they discussed diplomatic and economic cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Malaysia, as well as further improvement of future relations between the two friendly countries.
Radončić briefed Ambassador Ridzuwan on the efforts being made to stabilize the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to move towards Euro-Atlantic integration more quickly.

Also, they discussed diplomatic and economic cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Malaysia, as well as further improvement of future relations between the two friendly countries

Fahrudin Radončić and Raja Saifful Ridzuwan bin Raja Kamaruddin

SBB President Fahrudin Radončić congratulated Easter

Podžić: If necessary, we will defend the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina

High Representative Schmidt congratulates Easter

Ambasador Murphy: Mladić and Karadžić are not war heroes, they are war criminals

State Department report: Why 212 thousand KM were seized from "Avaz-roto press"

No majority for Dodik's veto in RSNA, the decisions of BiH Presidency remain in force

US sanctions former BiH Chief Prosecutor and an MP in the state parliament Tadić and Sarajlić

Schmidt: Dodik and Cvijanović will have to bear the consequences of their words and deeds

Dodik: I will bring down to a minimum any kind of conversation with Ambassador Field

UK Government has introduced sanctions against Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović

Radončić: Milanović should give up on the HVO line-up in Mostar and he should stop populist provocations

Turkish, German leaders discuss bilateral, regional issues

UK foreign secretary to visit Poland for talks

It is time for Schmidt to sanction the destructive figures, Konaković was not a traitor, Dodik's behaviour will not improve

It is a great pity due to the failure of negotiations, Dodik is a political past

Radončić met with Malaysian Ambassador Ridzuwan

News

SBB President Fahrudin Radončić congratulated Easter

Podžić: If necessary, we will defend the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina

High Representative Schmidt congratulates Easter

Ambasador Murphy: Mladić and Karadžić are not war heroes, they are war criminals

State Department report: Why 212 thousand KM were seized from "Avaz-roto press"

No majority for Dodik's veto in RSNA, the decisions of BiH Presidency remain in force

US sanctions former BiH Chief Prosecutor and an MP in the state parliament Tadić and Sarajlić

Schmidt: Dodik and Cvijanović will have to bear the consequences of their words and deeds

Dodik: I will bring down to a minimum any kind of conversation with Ambassador Field

UK Government has introduced sanctions against Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović

Radončić: Milanović should give up on the HVO line-up in Mostar and he should stop populist provocations

Turkish, German leaders discuss bilateral, regional issues

UK foreign secretary to visit Poland for talks

It is time for Schmidt to sanction the destructive figures, Konaković was not a traitor, Dodik's behaviour will not improve

It is a great pity due to the failure of negotiations, Dodik is a political past

Radončić met with Malaysian Ambassador Ridzuwan