30 MEPs Seek Investigation Against Varhelyi Over Bosnia

Oliver Varhelyi (Photo: European Parliament / Vincent VAN DOORNICK)

30 members of the European Parliament have sent a letter to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Layen, calling for an investigation into the role of the European commissioner for enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, in assisting the "separatist activities" of the Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik.

In the letter, the parliamentarians from several political groups pointed out that they were monitoring the situation in Bosnia, stressing that its territorial integrity was crucial not just for the local, but also for the regional and European perspective, the Sarajevo-based Klix.ba portal reported on Jan. 12.

They stated that they were "extremely alarmed by the recent escalation of political tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stoked by Milorad Dodik." "If Dodik is attempting to divide the country and establish an independent Republika Srpska (RS), by abandoning the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and establishing independent organs in RS territory, and if he were to be successful in that, the consequences will be felt far beyond the borders of Bosnia, with Europe's foreign policy also suffering grave consequences," it was stated in the letter.

The MEPs stated that the European Commission played a key role in securing the honoring of the conclusions of the Dayton accords and of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. "Not all EU countries share these goals. There have been reports about the current Hungarian government actively supporting Dodik's campaign for dividing Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the EUR100 million aid from Hungary to RS ahead of the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina," the letter reads.