B&H Presidency member and chairman Milorad Dodik told Srna that Republic of Srpska maintains its earlier position that there will be no construction and equipping of migrant centers on its territory, which he clearly conveyed to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
- At the request of Borrell, we discussed the issues of migrants, and his main interest was why the space of the former factory „Bira“ in Bihać was not activated for their accommodation. I stated that this is not within the competence of the Presidency of B&H and the Republic of Srpska, because „Bira“ is located in the Federation of B&H /FB&H/, which should resolve this issue. The migrant crisis in B&H is severe and on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe, and those in charge must resolve the issue - said Dodik and stated that he undertook the obligation to talk with the mayor of Bihać, Šuhret Fazlić, today.
He pointed out that the EU gave money for the accommodation of migrants through various independent organizations and not through the institutions of B&H, Republic of Srpska and FB&H, and that there are indications of misuse of those funds and therefore they cannot be attributed to B&H assistance.
- Borrell did ask, probably under the influence of Sarajevo, for migrants to be distributed on the entire territory of B&H, regardless of the clear position of the Republic of Srpska. I said that the Republic of Srpska has the right to its position on the migrant crisis and will not change it, that is, there will be no migrant centers in the area of Srpska. Borrell insisted that they try to provide as humane conditions as possible for the accommodation of migrants, with which I agree - Dodik explained.
The member of the Presidency emphasized that the Republic of Srpska does not want funds for the accommodation of migrants, nor will it receive them.
- It is very important to stick to our policy that we do not want to accept migrants in the area of Srpska, because only such a policy gives results. The EU encouraged millions of people to move towards it, and then they put a wire on the border, which speaks of the attitude towards migrants, which is exclusively a problem of the EU, and not ours. We in B&H have not remained passive, but the main problem of migrants is not in B&H, but in the EU, and it should take full responsibility for that problem - said Dodik.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell called on the B&H authorities to work on sustainable solutions for migrants, primarily on opening reception centers more evenly distributed throughout the country.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) said Borrell spoke by phone with Serb member and B&H Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik, and that the topic of conversation was the difficult conditions in which several hundred migrants find themselves in B&H.
