Bosnian Serb Republic approves Crimea’s independence

The President of the Bosnian Serb Republic Milorad Dodik approved Crimea’s declaration of independence while continuing to question Kosovo’s independence, Serbian news wire Tanjug reported, March 19.

“Had Kosovo followed the procedures observed in Crimea, I would gladly say that this was the people’s right to self-determination,” Dodik said, accoridng to Tanjug. “I want to affirm this right for all peoples and nations, including Bosnians who wanted to assert their right to self-determination in 1991 in the circumstances of separation from Yugoslavia.”

Dodik announced that in the Bosnian Serb Republic’s opinion of Crimea’s referendum was legitimate and that the democratic referendum fully complied with international laws and the UN Charter on the right to self-determination. The president congratulated the people of Crimea on their decision to declare independence. He also approved the March 18 agreement between the Russian Federation and Crimea which initiated the procedure of Crimea’s annexation to Russia.

Dodik stated that there are no similarities between the situation in Kosovo and that of Crimea. According to the president, Kosovo illegally declared independence and thus violated the UN Charter and the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which guarantees Serbia its territorial integrity.

“[The decision on Kosovo’s independence was illegal. It was adopted by a] group of individuals who declared themselves the Parliament, which did not include representatives from the entire territory of Kosovo,” Dodik said.

 

Photo courtesy of Rade Nagraisalović