RS Assembly Backs Dodik’s Veto on Halting Peljesac Bridge Construction

Dodik Drops Plans For Holding 2018 Republika Srpska Independence Referendum

Late on July 18, the Republika Srpska (RS) assembly backed Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik’s veto on the fellow Presidency members’ attempts to halt the construction of the Peljesac Bridge, designed to link southernmost Croatia with the rest of the country’s mainland.

After a debate that went on throughout the day, 60 MPs in the 83-seat RS assembly voted in favor of Dodik’s veto.

Croatian News Agency Hina has reported that the RS assembly’s decision has permanently blocked the attempts to halt the construction of the Peljesac Bridge until an agreement is reached on maritime boundary delimitation between Croatia and Bosnia at the Neum-Klek Bay.

Dodik’s Alliance of Independent Social Democrats-led majority also adopted a conclusion requiring from all RS’ representatives in Bosnian institutions to insist on the resolution of all outstanding issues with Croatia. The issues include the disposal of radioactive waste in the area of Trgovska Gora, near the border with Bosnia, boundary delimitation on Una River and guarantees from Croatia that a new bridge over the Sava near Gradiska, northwest RS, will be built in the envisaged completion date.

The RS assembly also requires from Serb officials in Bosnian institutions to reject partial solutions to border issues with Serbia and Croatia and to insist on “a package deal” for border disputes with the two neighboring states.