Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik is security threat, must be stopped: Bosniak leader

BELGRADE, Serbia

Serb leader Milorad Dodik is a security threat and must be stopped, a Bosniak member of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency Council said Thursday.

Denis Becirovic’s remarks came during his official visit to Croatia's capital Zagreb.

He said recent separatist rhetoric by Dodik, the president of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity, has caused a security threat for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Dodik, who acts against the state, threatens security and must be stopped. Despite the different stance of RS, Bosnia and Herzegovina's path to NATO membership does not contain any question marks,'' said Becirovic in a joint press conference with Croatian President Zoran Milanovic.

Becirovic in late April demanded an increase in the number of soldiers in the European Union Force Operation Althea (EUFOR Althea), the EU’s peacekeeping mission in the country.

He said then that Dodik had caused a need for more troops.

"We demand EUFOR to increase the number of soldiers in the country as soon as possible. EUFOR is on a mission to guarantee the security and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina,'' said Becirovic, according to the statement.

Milanovic, however, said that Dodik is the official representative of the entity and is not a security threat.

"Someone needs financial support to pose a security threat. I don't see Dodik moving in this direction,'' he said.

The two men announced that a joint government session of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia will be held on June 20.