prijava
SARAJEVO, July 30 (FENA) - Member of the House of Representatives in the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, Sasša Magazinović, sent an open letter to the newly elected President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of her visit to the Republic of Croatia.
In his letter, he pointed to the problem of the intention of the Republic of Croatia to dispose of its nuclear waste at the location of Trgovska gora, right on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I am pleased that you have chosen our neighbor Croatia as one of the first countries to visit, hopefully, that you will also soon visit BiH as the new President of the European Commission.
Until then, an important topic during your visit to Croatia, at least according to what the contents of your leadership of the European Commission have been announced, should be the topic of disposal of low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste from the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (Slovenia) at the very border with BiH,” writes Magazinović.
He reminded the President of the European Commission that a few weeks ago she has put forward a plan for Europe, stating that “future generations want to live in a preserved and healthy environment".
“The Republic of Slovenia will store its part of nuclear and radioactive waste from Krško at its place of origin, while the Republic of Croatia intends to store its part of the waste at the location of Trgovska gora, which, in addition to being right on the border with BiH, does not meet a number of other criteria. I was extremely pleased when you mentioned European children, their future and, in that context, a healthy and preserved environment in your plan. Our children in BiH must have the same right to live in a preserved and healthy environment. Children of the European Union (EU) should not claim more rights to live in a healthy environment than children of countries outside the EU,” emphasized Magazinović.
He states in his letter that we should know very soon Croatia’s decision on the location for the disposal of nuclear waste, but that it is already known that the country is preferring Trgovska gora, which is located right at the border with BiH, and which the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia has already supported.
“Due to the proximity of the border with BiH and its geographical location, the location in question will have the greatest negative impact on the population and the environment in BiH, on the diverse flora and fauna, on the Una River and the water intake of potable water, it will endanger the Una Nature Park, the Una National park and threaten tourism and the production of healthy food throughout the affected area.
The decisions to date by the institutions and bodies of the Republic of Croatia, which relate to the selection of a location at Trgovska gora, are not in accordance with international conventions, directives, agreements and standards that are legally binding for the Republic of Croatia as well,” emphasized Magazinović.
He called on the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to take an interest in this case, to acquaint Croatian officials with these facts, and to remind them of the EU legislation that is obliging for the Member States to take these steps as early as the planning phase for a nuclear and radioactive waste disposal project, and that there are clear procedures for how this is to be done.
“Ask them, President von der Leyen, to read and comply with the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and Radioactive Waste Management, the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment at state borders with the Strategic Environmental Assessment Protocol, the Aarhus Convention and many other conventions, and directives governing this area. I ask you for your assistance in order to avoid all that might be caused in the future by ignoring the position of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the EU legal norms.
Everyone in BiH unanimously emphasizes the strong opposition and protest to this intention. The Parliaments at all levels, as well as the BiH Presidency, have adopted a unified stance of the opposition to this intention of neighboring Croatia.
As a country that expresses aspirations for EU membership, BiH deserves your attention. I believe that in this particular case you will show that you are in favor of a Europe of justice, which is, among other things, a community of equal citizens,” wrote Magazinovic in an open letter to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
(FENA) S. R.
