KONAKOVIĆ CONTINUES POLICY OF UNDERMINING GOOD-NEIGHBOURLY RELATIONS

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 20 /SRNA/ – Former Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Živadin Jovanović says that BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković is continuing a policy of undermining good-neighbourly relations between the two countries by attempting to obstruct voting of Serbian citizens in BiH in the upcoming elections.

"Konaković is doing exactly the opposite of what is in the common interest," Jovanović said.

He stressed that, following the recent elections in BiH, which were assessed positively and seen as offering prospects for bringing the country closer to the Dayton Peace Agreement or halting its departure from it, everyone should be expected to work towards improving relations rather than worsening them, as Konaković apparently seeks to do.

"It is as if he has assigned himself a mission to disrupt relations between Serbia and BiH," Jovanović said.

Jovanović pointed out that allowing everyone who wishes to vote and is entitled to do so to participate in the electoral process was normal practice in Europe, particularly important for BiH as a country trying to get closer to the EU and comply with European standards.

"This is another disruptive move and another illustration of Konaković's negative role in these relations. I believe the new BiH Presidency and other relevant stakeholders should respond to this so that a positive atmosphere can be created and the will of citizens of BiH to participate in the electoral process respected," Jovanović stressed.

Konaković previously announced that Bosniak ministers would not support the proposal to open polling stations for Serbia’s citizens in BiH, stressing that, if Serbia decided to organise elections without the approval of the Council of Ministers, he would send staff from the Serbia’s Embassy in Sarajevo back home.

Staša Košarac, Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers, told SRNA that he expected the Council of Ministers to approve the request for enabling Serbia’s citizens to vote on the territory of BiH, and called for responsible political action.

Parliamentary elections in Serbia will be held on Sunday, October 25.