CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF BiH SHOULD ASSESS DECISION ON APPOINTING NEGOTIATOR WITH THE EU

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 12 /SRNA/ - The SNSD Caucus in the Republika Srpska National Assembly today submitted a request to the Constitutional Court of BiH to assess the constitutionality of the decision on the establishment of the office and the procedure for appointing BiH’s chief negotiator with the EU, the Caucus said at a press conference in Banja Luka.

The head of the SNSD Caucus in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, Srđan Mazalica, stated that this decision violates both the Constitution of BiH and the relevant competences. “It is only logical that this position belongs to Republika Srpska, the Serb people, and the SNSD as the largest party,” Mazalica said. The chairman of the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, Mladen Ilić, reminded the public of the competencies of the Presidency of BiH, such as conducting foreign policy, appointing ambassadors and other international representatives, representing BiH in international and European organizations and institutions, seeking membership in international organizations and institutions where BiH is not yet a member, as well as conducting negotiations for the conclusion of treaties. He stated that they are also seeking the adoption of a temporary measure to suspend the mentioned decision until a final ruling by the Constitutional Court of BiH, to prevent harmful consequences for the constitutional order of BiH, its international standing, and the fulfillment of international obligations. On October 30, the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH adopted a decision on the establishment of an office and the procedure for appointing the chief negotiator with the EU and their deputies. The SNSD and the Serb Caucus did not attend the vote or the discussion on this matter. This decision stipulates that the chief negotiator is to be appointed by members of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly.