The European Union on Thursday condemned the decision of the Bosnian Serb entity's (RS) parliament to endorse a bill on the establishment of an RS high judicial and prosecutorial council (VSTV), whereby that entity would take on the powers invested in the VSTV BiH in 2004.

“Thursday’s vote by the Republika Srpska National Assembly in favour of a law establishing a separate High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (VSTV) in the Republika Srpska constitutes an unacceptable violation of the constitutional and legal order of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH),” reads a press release signed by the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

“If the law is adopted, it will severely impact the rights of the citizens of Republika Srpska, deepening legal uncertainty and instability in the country’s judicial system, and seriously undermine BiH’s European perspective.”

The European Union urges leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular the Republika Spska leadership, “to put an end to escalatory steps, and instead ensure serious dialogue is resumed within State institutions, to address all the issues of concerns.”

“The EU is ready to use all the instruments available in its toolbox to help BiH overcome the current crisis and ensure the country refocuses fully on the reforms for its EU path as set out in the Opinion 14 key priorities.

“The EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy has put the situation in BiH and actions undermining the unity of the country on the agenda of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council,” reads the press release.

The draft bill is supposed to be put for public consultation after its endorsement in the local legislature.

The VSTV bill on means that RS would take on the powers invested in the VSTV BiH in 2004 as the only body authorised to appoint judges and prosecutors in the entire country.

The Office of the High Representative (OHR), EU Delegation in BiH and US Embassy had previously warned if the RS parliament supported such law, the rule of law and the very foundations of the Dayton Accord would be brought into question.