READINESS TO INTRODUCE PROTECTIVE MEASURES ON STEEL IMPORTS

SARAJEVO, APRIL 15 /SRNA/ – Council of Ministers Deputy Chair Staša Košarac has stated today that he is not giving up the fight to protect local production and that he is ready to introduce protective measures on the import of steel and steel products.

"Another `friendly and well-intentioned` gesture is coming from Brussels officials – they have decided to tighten measures on the import of steel from third countries to the EU market. They are limiting steel imports and raising tariffs, all with the aim of protecting local production,” Košarac posted on Instagram.

He warns that European barriers are strengthening, while BiH remains in a dead end due to decision-making within the Council of Ministers and a fundamental misunderstanding of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between BiH and the EU.

According to him, the victims of such policies are businesspeople from Republika Srpska and the FBiH.

"I will not give up the fight to protect local production! I am ready, immediately upon receiving a new initiative, to propose to the Council of Ministers the introduction of protective measures on the import of steel and steel products," emphasized Košarac, who is also the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations.

He says that the protection of local miners, workers, steel mills, and the railways of Republika Srpska and the FBiH must be priority and goal.

"I will not accept any baseless, unsubstantiated, and populist narratives, because we must not leave our workers stranded!" Košarac said.