SNSD ALWAYS READY TO RESOLVE BILLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONSTITUTION

SARAJEVO, MARCH 27 /SRNA/ – Member of the Advisory Board of the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Nikola Špirić says that SNSD deputies will participate exclusively in resolving bills that are in accordance with the Constitution and the law, adding that the activities by House chairman, Kemal Ademović, who is trying to reach agreements with the Republika Srpska opposition that is insufficient for an entity quorum, lead nowhere.

Špirić told SRNA that the best response to today’s failed attempt to hold a special session was Ademović’s statement that he had not communicated with the other two members of the Advisory Board for a year.

"That does not create the possibility for agreement and harmonization of the agenda within the Advisory Board," Špirić emphasized.

He states that SNSD deputies did not attend today’s session also because they do not agree to participate in meetings whose agendas include bills that are not in line with the Constitution of BiH and the Law on the Indirect Taxation System.

"When those two things are harmonized, they will have us at the table to talk," Špirić said.

He added that the actions of the Republika Srpska opposition together with the Troika parties from Sarajevo represent an attempt at subversion of the entity constitutions.

"It is devoid of any legal basis. Article 19 of the Law on Indirect Taxation is being violated, which states that the policy on excise duties, customs and fees is determined by the Steering Board of the Indirect Taxation Authority /ITA/ of BiH, and that any change requires their consent," Špirić said.

He also warned that such moves undermine the Constitution of BiH, according to which the Council of Ministers does not have such powers, noting that an agreement between the entity governments assigned this competence to the Steering Board of the ITA of BiH.

"That agreement guarantees the avoidance of the situation we are now in for the second time," Špirić said.

He expressed regret that there is no readiness for serious talks and decisions.

The urgent session of the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly was not held today because three deputies from the Serb People Caucus and four deputies from the Croat People Caucus did not attend.

The session was attended by five deputies from the Bosniak People Caucus, one from the Croat People Caucus, and two from the Serb People Caucus – Nenad Vuković and Želimir Nešković.