The European Union will help Bosnia and Herzegovina deal with the coronavirus pandemic, head of the EU delegation in Sarajevo, Johann Sattler, said on Friday. Sattler also rejected criticism by Serb member of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, Milorad Dodik, who had earlier accused the EU for lack of support for Bosnia's containment efforts.

By Friday, Bosnia had 64 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection, and the epidemic has placed a huge strain on the country, exacerbated by its fragmented government and health care system which hinders an effective and coordinated response.

The pressure on the ill-equipped health care service, managed on the cantonal level in the Bosniak-Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) half of the country, is increasing.

Earlier this week, former leader of the Serb Republika Srpska (RS) half of the country, and a member of the tripartite national presidency, Milorad Dodik, said that Bosnia has been “left to its own devices” in dealing with the epidemic, taking a shot at the EU, which he accused of banning the exports of essential medical equipment and medicines to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sattler refuted the claim on Friday, in a statement published by the Sarajevo-based Dnevni Avaz daily. He added that the lack of supplies came as a result of continent-wide shortages.

He added that two months ago the EU had sent 53 tonnes of medical equipment to China during the peak of its outbreak, and that China is now returning the favour by helping European countries, which have since become the epicentre of the global pandemic.

“Various types of aid are being prepared. I had a meeting with Prime Minister, Zoran Tegeltija, and we discussed the most urgent needs, including medical equipment,” Sattler said, adding that the EU had helped Bosnia in 2014, when the entire region was hit by brutal floods, and that the bloc would help Bosnia again to overcome the current coronavirus crisis.

In a rebuke to Dodik, Sattler went on to say that “this is not the time to score political points” and that solidarity is the key message needed at a time of an unprecedented global crisis.

He said that helping Bosnia’s economy is going to be the main priority in the wake of the outbreak, especially in the areas of tourism, transport, and hospitality services.

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