SRPSKA WILL NOT YIELD TO BLACKMAIL OVER GROWTH PLAN ADOPTION

SARAJEVO, JULY 24 /SRNA/ – Staša Košarac, the minister of foreign trade and economic relations in the Council of Ministers, has stated today that Republika Srpska will not yield to the European Commission's blackmail through reduction of funds to BiH in relation to the adoption of the Growth Plan.

"We do not accept pressure. We will act in accordance with the Coordination Mechanism and with the constitutional competences of Republika Srpska, the Federation of BiH, and the level of joint institutions," Košarac emphasized. He reminded that BiH's progress was hindered by the FBiH-based "Troika" refusing to agree on the full package of 14 priorities outlined in the Growth Plan, followed by the obligations under the Reform Agenda. Despite this, the narrative continues as if only they are working on the issue. "Clearly, someone is rushing to present a rosy picture about BAM 2 billion, claiming we'll lose it. That's not the problem either, but we will not undermine constitutional competencies or bypass the institutions responsible for these areas. That is our policy," Košarac stressed. He noted that many countries which adopted the Growth Plan experienced delays in disbursement of funds, and it had already been made clear that even if the plan is adopted, funds won't be granted unless specific activities are implemented. "This is about the European Commission’s ongoing blackmail, which other Western Balkan countries that adopted the plan are already experiencing," Košarac said, pointing out that Serbia received only part of its allocated funds recently. He emphasizes no decision in BiH will be made under pressure or hastily, explaining that even if the plan had been adopted, it is uncertain to what extent the activities would have been implemented in that same year, potentially resulting in reduced funds. Košarac says it is impossible to make any decision on the Growth Plan without including the cantons and entities, noting that the Council of Ministers is not a government, but a central body, and that the governments of Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH are not subordinate to it. Regarding the fulfillment of conditions for receiving funds from the Growth Plan by August 11, the deadline set by the Council of Ministers chairwoman, Košarac says the ministry he heads has already coordinated activities with the coordinators of Republika Srpska, the Federation of BiH, and the Brčko District. There is a deadlock in cantons governed by the SDA due to political disagreement and conflict within the Federation between the ‘Troika’ and the SDA, who refuse to give any comments,” Košarac reminded. He has stressed it is his duty to respect the constitutional position of the cantons, Republika Srpska, and the Federation of BiH, as well as the state level, although problems persist, and several meetings have been held to define the next steps. "I cannot speak on behalf of others, but I can say that the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations is coordinating activities with the coordinators of Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, and we are trying to reach the solutions that we have set as our goals," Košarac concluded.