SARAJEVO, BANJA LUKA -- Bosnia-Herzegovina's state Parliament adopted Friday in Sarajevo changes to the institutions standing orders.
Source: Tanjug, DPA
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The decision came less than a day before the deadline set on October 19 by the international community's High Representative to Bosnia, Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajčak.
Nearly two months ago Lajčak proposed measures to streamline the decision-making processes in Bosnia's central government and parliament.
In order to improve functionality of the two institutions, he imposed a number of measures to change the decision-making process of the central government, the Council of Ministers.
He also called on political leaders in the country to adjust the work of the parliament themselves or he would impose changes to the parliament's work on December 1.
Lajčak measures provoked sharp reactions among the Bosnian Serb politicians, who accused him of harming their national interests and violating the country's constitution.
While the Bosnian Serb National Assembly passed a resolution requesting Lajcak to change his decision or to leave his post, Bosnia's Prime Minister Nikola Špirić resigned a month ago protesting against Lajčak's measures.
Although the worst crisis since the end of the 1992-1995 war in the country developed following Lajčak's measures, the situation was resolved just a couple of hours before the deadline.
Miroslav Lajčak commended the progress saying "a strong message was sent to Europe from Sarajevo today."
"I am sure the response of the European Union will be very positive," the high representative told reporters in Sarajevo.
The changes aimed at improving functionality of Bosnia- Herzegovina's central government and parliament are now expected to speed up reforms in the country necessary for further progress towards European integration.
Yesterday, Lajčak met Republic of Srpska (RS) Premier Milorad Dodik met in Banja Luka.
The crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina should end as soon as possible, in order to speed up the country's European integration, they agreed after the meeting.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Dodik said that Lajčak had assured him that Brussels was prepared to speed up activities on the resolution of joint issues, which would bring Bosnia closer to European integration.
"All this requires us to resolve the current crises and problems linked to the functioning of the Council of Ministers and the standing orders of the Bosnian parliament," Dodik added, and said that he expected the controversial issues to be resolved "within the next few days".
Lajčak stated that the continuation of the European path meant the resolution of all problems that Bosnia currently faces.
"I have decided to inform all leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina about the talks conducted two days ago in Brussels, because I am pleased that EU representatives take Bosnia seriously and welcome the Mostar Declaration and the Sarajevo Agreements.
"They represent a good step towards the initialing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement," the Slovak head of international administration in that country concluded.
Lenard: This is not a turn, it's what you call negotiations. What you pro Bosnian Muslims and Albanians don't understand is that European institutions are very happy making deals with Serbs. Mr. Kostunica is very aware of what Republika Srpska is doing and it will be to the benefit of Serbs, which is what you're afraid of.
(Nicholas Klinsman, 1 December 2007 01:17)
Lenard what are you talking about. He's made a 360 degree turn. In April of 2006 he supported these same reforms in the failed "April Reforms" of constitutional changes in Bosnia. Then recently he said he opposed these measures and now a month l;ater he supports them. If he was smart he would have used the fact that the Bosniaks campaigned agianst the April Reforms and were now accepting some of theior measures to discredit them.
(Yaroslav, 30 November 2007 20:31)
who cares what anyone says its what the Serbs and the people want, not these outsiders. the Serbs and the eastern world are changing and moving closer to Russia and others and the whole eastern world is moving farther from the west. soon america will have mini states on their side because.
(Ukraine, 30 November 2007 17:28)
Dodic just made 180 degree turn from his stubborn refusal to implement police reform and to put the SA agreement on the tracks to the EU. He saw the handwriting on the wall the end of Srpska. By listening to and following in big brother Serbia footsteps is a big loosing preposition. Kostunica must be stewing furiously mad at Dodic especially when they had an understanding and agreement to stick together no matter what. Especially when Serbia spent 100s of millions propping up Srpskas economy and government to buy its unwavering loyalty. Theres is no loyalty even between brothers they will sell each other out if they get a better deal. Is it not a unwavering Serbian motto.... Strength in Unity!
(Lenard, 30 November 2007 11:54)
then lajcak, as crisis-starter, has just to take back or neutralize his nonsense. it´s still a simple question!
as soon as he does that, dodik will unblock the phantasy-state and so-called bosnia and lajcak will again have his bonn-powers over a "state" that does exist.
time is ticking misko, on dec.1st rs will block also the parliament, and then all theory about the legality of taking back competences to entity-niveau will disappear, because then it will be a question of survival (for both entities).
but it´s good to know that lajcak realizes where his place in former bosnia is and that the rs-assembly DOES decide about his competences and greater-sarajevo-phantasies!
(raso, 30 November 2007 10:41)
Yes, the only solution to end the crisis is independence to Republika Srpska! Never again under Bosnian rule after all the muslims did to the serbs during the war.
If there are no solution by 10 th december, there will be proclamation of independece from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Russians and Chinese will recognize Republika Srpska as well as some EU countries!
Nice solution to a current problem instead of compromize?
(Srboslav, 30 November 2007 09:57)
Yes, the only solution to end the crisis is independence to Republika Srpska! Never again under Bosnian rule after all the muslims did to the serbs during the war.
If there are no solution by 10 th december, there will be proclamation of independece from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Russians and Chinese will recognize Republika Srpska as well as some EU countries!
Nice solution to a current problem instead of compromize?
(Srboslav, 30 November 2007 09:57)
then lajcak, as crisis-starter, has just to take back or neutralize his nonsense. it´s still a simple question!
as soon as he does that, dodik will unblock the phantasy-state and so-called bosnia and lajcak will again have his bonn-powers over a "state" that does exist.
time is ticking misko, on dec.1st rs will block also the parliament, and then all theory about the legality of taking back competences to entity-niveau will disappear, because then it will be a question of survival (for both entities).
but it´s good to know that lajcak realizes where his place in former bosnia is and that the rs-assembly DOES decide about his competences and greater-sarajevo-phantasies!
(raso, 30 November 2007 10:41)
Lenard: This is not a turn, it's what you call negotiations. What you pro Bosnian Muslims and Albanians don't understand is that European institutions are very happy making deals with Serbs. Mr. Kostunica is very aware of what Republika Srpska is doing and it will be to the benefit of Serbs, which is what you're afraid of.
(Nicholas Klinsman, 1 December 2007 01:17)
who cares what anyone says its what the Serbs and the people want, not these outsiders. the Serbs and the eastern world are changing and moving closer to Russia and others and the whole eastern world is moving farther from the west. soon america will have mini states on their side because.
(Ukraine, 30 November 2007 17:28)
Dodic just made 180 degree turn from his stubborn refusal to implement police reform and to put the SA agreement on the tracks to the EU. He saw the handwriting on the wall the end of Srpska. By listening to and following in big brother Serbia footsteps is a big loosing preposition. Kostunica must be stewing furiously mad at Dodic especially when they had an understanding and agreement to stick together no matter what. Especially when Serbia spent 100s of millions propping up Srpskas economy and government to buy its unwavering loyalty. Theres is no loyalty even between brothers they will sell each other out if they get a better deal. Is it not a unwavering Serbian motto.... Strength in Unity!
(Lenard, 30 November 2007 11:54)
Lenard what are you talking about. He's made a 360 degree turn. In April of 2006 he supported these same reforms in the failed "April Reforms" of constitutional changes in Bosnia. Then recently he said he opposed these measures and now a month l;ater he supports them. If he was smart he would have used the fact that the Bosniaks campaigned agianst the April Reforms and were now accepting some of theior measures to discredit them.
(Yaroslav, 30 November 2007 20:31)
Dodic just made 180 degree turn from his stubborn refusal to implement police reform and to put the SA agreement on the tracks to the EU. He saw the handwriting on the wall the end of Srpska. By listening to and following in big brother Serbia footsteps is a big loosing preposition. Kostunica must be stewing furiously mad at Dodic especially when they had an understanding and agreement to stick together no matter what. Especially when Serbia spent 100s of millions propping up Srpskas economy and government to buy its unwavering loyalty. Theres is no loyalty even between brothers they will sell each other out if they get a better deal. Is it not a unwavering Serbian motto.... Strength in Unity!
(Lenard, 30 November 2007 11:54)
then lajcak, as crisis-starter, has just to take back or neutralize his nonsense. it´s still a simple question!
as soon as he does that, dodik will unblock the phantasy-state and so-called bosnia and lajcak will again have his bonn-powers over a "state" that does exist.
time is ticking misko, on dec.1st rs will block also the parliament, and then all theory about the legality of taking back competences to entity-niveau will disappear, because then it will be a question of survival (for both entities).
but it´s good to know that lajcak realizes where his place in former bosnia is and that the rs-assembly DOES decide about his competences and greater-sarajevo-phantasies!
(raso, 30 November 2007 10:41)
Yes, the only solution to end the crisis is independence to Republika Srpska! Never again under Bosnian rule after all the muslims did to the serbs during the war.
If there are no solution by 10 th december, there will be proclamation of independece from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Russians and Chinese will recognize Republika Srpska as well as some EU countries!
Nice solution to a current problem instead of compromize?
(Srboslav, 30 November 2007 09:57)
Lenard what are you talking about. He's made a 360 degree turn. In April of 2006 he supported these same reforms in the failed "April Reforms" of constitutional changes in Bosnia. Then recently he said he opposed these measures and now a month l;ater he supports them. If he was smart he would have used the fact that the Bosniaks campaigned agianst the April Reforms and were now accepting some of theior measures to discredit them.
(Yaroslav, 30 November 2007 20:31)
Lenard: This is not a turn, it's what you call negotiations. What you pro Bosnian Muslims and Albanians don't understand is that European institutions are very happy making deals with Serbs. Mr. Kostunica is very aware of what Republika Srpska is doing and it will be to the benefit of Serbs, which is what you're afraid of.
(Nicholas Klinsman, 1 December 2007 01:17)
who cares what anyone says its what the Serbs and the people want, not these outsiders. the Serbs and the eastern world are changing and moving closer to Russia and others and the whole eastern world is moving farther from the west. soon america will have mini states on their side because.
(Ukraine, 30 November 2007 17:28)