That Republika Srpska is economically stable is shown by the figures, numerous investments, and GDP growth.
However, in political Sarajevo this is either not seen or not acknowledged. For Minister Elmedin Konaković, Republika Srpska would not financially survive without the Federation of BiH.
This claim was denied by the Ministry of Finance of Republika Srpska.
But Konaković did not stop there. He openly supported the blockade of the opening of the new border crossing in Gradiška, which affects everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
When it comes to Republika Srpska, Elmedin Konaković always has something to say.
In his latest outburst, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Council of Ministers attacked the economy of Republika Srpska, claiming that it would not function at all without the “economic powerhouse” of the Federation of BiH.
– Attention should also be paid to the court case initiated by the government of Nermin Nikšić and Minister Kraljević to recover the money that Republika Srpska “swallowed in its financial chaos” – said Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH.
With such statements, Konaković is trying to conceal the real state of affairs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, says Minister of Finance and Treasury in the Council of Ministers Srđan Amidžić. Konaković, however, does not mention the debt that the Federation owes to Republika Srpska.
– Since 2017 or 2018, there has been a final court ruling obliging the Federation of BiH to pay Republika Srpska 35 million KM. That amount has still not been paid. When you add unpaid revenues from road tolls, the total debt reaches between 70 and 80 million KM – said Amidžić.
Opinions may vary, but numbers are exact. And the numbers show that Republika Srpska has recorded economic growth for 19 consecutive quarters.
That is why the Ministry of Finance of Republika Srpska rejected Konaković’s claims as incorrect and malicious, advising him to pay more attention to the dysfunctionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
– It is far from true that Republika Srpska lives at the expense of the Federation of BiH. Republika Srpska is owed funds under a 2018 court ruling that has still not been implemented, not to mention the unresolved issue of road toll revenues. We suggest that you refrain from negative and malicious statements and instead focus on opening the bridge over the Sava River, because the current situation is causing enormous damage to the entire country – stated the Ministry of Finance of Republika Srpska.
Not only is Konaković indifferent to the blocked border crossing in Gradiška, but he also sees nothing problematic in the actions of the Federation’s expert member of the Indirect Taxation Authority, Zijad Krnjić.
Krnjić is the official who blocked the adoption of regulations necessary for opening the new border crossing.
– If you ask Zijad Krnjić from the SDA, he will tell you that the border crossing should not be opened because it is located in Republika Srpska. That does not affect only Serbs, but everyone who works and lives in the Federation as well – said Konaković.
The result of Krnjić’s actions, strongly supported by Konaković, is clear.
And both Krnjić and Konaković are fully aware of it.
Yet, the new border crossing remains closed.
The fact that the newly built border crossing in Gradiška is still not operational best illustrates the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina — and the reasons behind it.
But according to Konaković, there is nothing controversial about that either.
Source: RTRS
