The President of the Republika Srpska (RS), Milorad Dodik, stated today that the ongoing protest by transporters shows that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a systemic mistake.
“It (BiH) cannot live, it is a failure and an illusion for many, and especially for the Minister of Communications and Transport in the Council of Ministers, Edin Forto,” Dodik told reporters in Banja Luka.
Dodik says that Forto should resign from his ministerial position and that all “messes” in BiH start with political Sarajevo inventing a problem and convincing the people working in the EU Delegation Office in Sarajevo of its existence.
“The point is that the unitarization and centralization of BiH are being carried out, and when they mess things up like this, you see a paralyzed world, cities, and roads. I think Forto is less responsible for this than the self-important guy who thinks he knows everything that is good for the people here,” Dodik said.
He stressed that he will try to find a way to help the transporters, who have been supported by the citizens of the Republika Srpska.
“I am trying to find a way to help them. At least for today, we will provide them with food and water to ease their stay in this heat,” Dodik said.
The transporters of the Logistika BiH Consortium, who blocked main roads, border crossings, and city thoroughfares after numerous warnings, are demanding the elimination of discrimination against drivers in the EU, respect for the AETR agreement, fulfillment of promises made by the BiH Ministry of Communications and Transport, changes to relevant regulations, financial relief for transporters (including a return of 50% of excise duties, a 50% discount on tolls, and the status of a service exporter), and the acceleration of work at border crossings, inspection, and customs procedures.
Source: Euronews; Photo: ATA Images