Republika Srpska: European Commission Report is Full of Cynicism and Lies

Brussels's verdict on the (poor) prospects for the integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina and, in particular, Republika Srpska into the EU was delivered immediately after President Milorad Dodik's participation in the BRICS summit in Russia

Milorad Dodik e Vladimir Putin

The behavior of the EU Commission, which in its absurd fight with Russia “notices everything and forgives nothing,” is typical “petty behavior” and a “sign of weakness.” A few days after a delegation from Republika Srpska (the Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina) attended the annual BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, where President Milorad Dodik was received by the Russian leader Vladimir Putin (pictured), the European Commission released a highly critical report “on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress towards EU integration.”

The conclusions reached by the so-called “experts” of the European Commission shocked the leaders of Republika Srpska. According to President Milorad Dodik, the report is “full of cynicism and erroneous statements”: “I have the impression that the document was written by Muslims in Sarajevo and handed over to European officials in order to vilify Republika Srpska for no reason,” Dodik said, implying Bosnian authorities representing the Muslim component.

The European Commission report, while acknowledging “some results” in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU integration process, criticizes the country for “failing to fully implement the EU’s restrictive measures following the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine” in the part dealing with foreign policy, as well as security and common defense.

Between the lines of the document, drawn up in Brussels, is the indignation of European political leaders at the “neutral position of the Serbian representative of the country’s tripartite presidency and in particular of Republika Srpska.” In this context, the EU emphasized that “in May 2024, Russia opened a political office of its embassy in Banja Luka, strengthening contacts with the Serbian entity.”

On October 25, on the sidelines of the annual BRICS summit, Milorad Dodik had a long and very cordial conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he emphasized that “Republika Srpska would like to be included in BRICS in some way.”

Dodik emphasized that cooperation between Republika Srpska and Russia is “full of respect and understanding.”

“Russia is officially the fourth largest economy according to the International Monetary Fund, and this shows that sanctions are not working. Unfortunately, they also impose sanctions on us. Two days ago, we rejected a request to introduce visas for Russian citizens,” said Dodik, according to whom Moscow is “not isolated. It has not been possible to isolate either Russia or you personally, and that makes us all very happy. Thank you for allowing us to meet here,” Dodik once again addressed Putin.