VIPOTNIK: BiH PREPARED STRONG CASE FOR GENEVA TALKS

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 20 /SRNA/ – The BiH delegation is fully prepared for exchange of arguments with Croatian representatives over the Trgovska Gora case, scheduled for May 14 in Geneva, Republika Srpska Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and Ecology Bojan Vipotnik told SRNA.

Vipotnik, who will lead the BiH delegation, stressed that they are prepared both legally and politically for the event. He noted that they are aware Croatia will use all available means to present Trgovska Gora as a suitable location, although preliminary results show it does not meet any of the criteria required for nuclear waste storage. “We know that the environmental impact study has been submitted to the Croatian line ministry, but we still do not have information on their position. However, according to the latest information, the study is under review, and if approved, it will go to public consultation, at which point it will also have to be delivered to BiH representatives,” Vipotnik pointed out. He added that laboratory testing of field research conducted by the Republika Srpska Geological Institute is ongoing and nearing completion, with similar work also concluding in the Federation of BiH. Vipotnik emphasized that BiH is ready, professionally, scientifically and politically to challenge Croatia's arguments, noting that the BiH Mission to the United Nations serves as the communication point with the Espoo Convention. Croatia plans to store radioactive waste from the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, as well as existing institutional waste, at the Trgovska Gora site in the municipality of Dvor, near the border with BiH.