- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Bosnian Serbs Vote on Republika Srpska Day Has No Legal Basis - EU Spokeswoman

© Wikipedia / Rade Nagraisalovic (Tonka)Banja Luka, the largest city of the Republika Srpska entity and second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the capital Sarajevo
Banja Luka, the largest city of the Republika Srpska entity and second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the capital Sarajevo - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The referendum of Bosnian Serbs regarding their right to hold annual Republika Srpska Day celebrations on January 9 has no legal grounds as it was suspended by the decision of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said on Monday.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — According to the preliminary results of the referendum which took place on Sunday, 98.8 percent of Bosnian Serbs supported holding Independence Day celebrations on January 9.

"The referendum, that took place yesterday, has no legal basis since the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina decided to suspend the decision on the referendum until the Court decides, it needs constitutionality and also this referendum can not change the final and binding nature of decisions of Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Kocijancic said.

The institutions of the country should resolve the issue of the Republika Srpska Day through the legal processes and existing constitutional framework, while a constructive dialogue is essential, the spokeswoman added.

"It is important that all parties abstain from acts which could escalate the situation and that Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to focus on reforms, that are necessary to cope with economic and social challenges the country is facing, and it can bring Bosnia and Herzegovina closer and forward on its European path," she added.

Republika Srpska, one of the two autonomous entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, does not agree to celebrate the Independence Day on March 1, as on that day, in 1992, Bosnian Parliament proclaimed the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina without the presence of Bosnian Serbs.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала