Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik held a press conference in East Sarajevo today and spoke on a number of current topics, including the vaccination process in B&H, the migration crisis, B&H's NATO path, the current convocation and the decisions of the Central Election Commission of B&H (CEC B&H), as well as the economic situation in the RS, repeating his already known positions.

Referring to the problem related to the vaccination process, Dodik pointed to the disorder in the market in that regard, stating that developed countries also face problems in that area, and that the European Union did not cope well with this process, and that it was a similar case at the beginning of the pandemic.

-This can be a serious problem of trust in the basic values ​​of the EU itself, and that is, above all, a problem of lack of solidarity- said Dodik.

He pointed out that he has received guarantees that the RS would receive about 100,000 vaccines, which should arrive from the Russian Federation in February from various producers.

He said the vaccines in the RS would be free of charge and that all citizens should be given a choice.

-As far as the FB&H is concerned, I don't know what the situation is, but obviously it is necessary to try to provide vaccines through direct contacts without Covax- said Dodik, and when asked if he could help to get the vaccines for the FB&H as well, he answered in the affirmative, calling the other two members of the Presidency to declare themselves in this regard.

He stated that the situation in B&H regarding the accommodation of migrants is calming down, but that certain issues remain open, and that the Government of the RS has provided 50 containers that will be delivered to certain locations if necessary.

He opposed "cosmetic changes in the judiciary and the legislation, as well as a possible breach into the entity competencies," and underlined the EU's responsibility as a partner in these processes.

He reiterated already known positions regarding the NATO integration process, stating that "the Annual National Program does not prejudge membership; the RS remains outside the NATO integration process," and that cooperation with NATO is not disputable.

Referring to the economic situation in the RS, he announced new investments and projects in the field of new employment, stating that the entity went well through the pandemic period and currently has more employees than before the pandemic.

As for his attitude towards the CEC B&H, Dodik announced that the SNSD would file individual lawsuits against all CEC members next week regarding the decision to repeat the elections in Doboj and Srebrenica, stating that "these are politically motivated decisions and people who are incompetent in the CEC B&H," adding that there were far more complaints in Mostar and that "then, someone ordered that these elections should be verified."

When asked if his announcement of lawsuits might be a response to the complaint the CEC filed against him, Dodik said that it was not and that he had announced it before they did.

-When I spoke about people in the CEC, I never spoke about them as individuals, but as political representatives … If something I said hurt the lady in question, I publicly apologize …," he said, alluding to the CEC member Vanja Bjelica-Prutina, and then he wondered "who did I hurt there in the CEC so that charges should be filed against me.-

At the same time, he accused the opposition in the RS - the political parties the PDP and the SDS - of foul play, illustrating this claim with their support for the joint candidate in Srebrenica but also with the behavior of the CEC members who are "an extension of the two political parties".

When asked about the possibility of a boycott of the 2022 elections, Dodik answered in the affirmative, stating that the issue is being considered by the SNSD, and that they have their legal experts from the executive and legislative branches working on that issue.

He expressed the readiness of the SNSD to participate in the drafting of the new B&H Election Law.