The Netherlands joined the group of countries calling for sanctions against the Republika Srpska entity's authorities "whose actions pose a threat to the stability and integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Dutch Ambassador to BiH Jan Waltmans said on Friday.

“Unconstitutional steps of Republika Srpska, RS blockade of state institutions and lack of reforms will have consequences. E.g. decrease of EU/international assistance can be expected. Other steps considered,” Waltmans tweeted on his Twitter account.

He added that citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina “deserve sound policies and functioning institutions”.

Earlier this week, European Commission Spokesman Peter Stano announced that the EU Foreign Affairs Council would discuss the situation in BiH at its regular meeting on 24 January, and the agenda includes possible sanctions against those responsible for bringing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional order and stability into question.

Last week the US introduced sanctions against the Serb member of the country’s presidency, Milorad Dodik, and his legal adviser Milan Tegeltija, describing them as being responsible for undermining the Dayton accords and also for their involvement in corruption.

Great Britain immediately supported the introduction of the sanctions, saying it was prepared to follow that policy. Germany’s Foreign Minister  Annalena Baerbock openly supported the sanctions against Dodik.

Hungary is the only country opposed to European sanctions against Dodik.

Analysts presume that a consensus will not be reached over the sanctions at the EU level and individual countries will then adopt their own measures to prevent the de facto secession of the Serb entity from BiH.

Authorities in the entity plan to adopt a set of laws by the middle of the year that would transfer defence, customs and judiciary powers to the entity.