Bosnia urges wider EU sanctions on leader of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska after entry bans by Austria, Germany

By Ismail Ozdemir and Beril Canakci

SARAJEVO / ISTANBUL – Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic on Friday called on more EU countries to sanction Milorad Dodik, leader of the Serb-majority Republika Srpska, after Austria and Germany imposed entry bans.

Konakovic met Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Sarajevo to discuss Dodik’s actions and recent moves by the Republika Srpska National Assembly, which Sarajevo says breach the country’s constitution.

At a joint news conference, Konakovic said they also addressed Bosnia’s political challenges and economic cooperation with Austria.

“People in Bosnia fear the situation will get worse,” he said.

He said Dodik is awaiting a court ruling but has refused to appear for new investigations, “openly provoking the system.”

Konakovic added that Bosnia received diplomatic assurances that more EU countries plan to follow Austria and Germany’s lead on sanctions.

“He has lost his way and is hoping for support from (US President Donald) Trump,” he said.

Meinl-Reisinger said Austria remains committed to supporting Bosnia’s EU membership aspirations and warned that Dodik’s behavior threatens the country’s stability and territorial integrity.

“Together with Germany, we have decided to impose certain entry sanctions on Dodik and two other individuals. With this, we wanted to express our support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose future is in the EU,” she said.