Bosnia bans landing of plane carrying Hungarian foreign minister

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Defence Minister Zukan Helez did not allow a military plane carrying Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to land in Banja Luka on Wednesday. The reason for this is Budapest's alleged support for the politician Milorad Dodik, who Sarajevo believes threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Helez claims that Hungary did not provide a sufficient explanation as to why the minister was on board the military aircraft. "My duty is to protect the constitutional order and interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina," he wrote on Facebook, adding that he would only allow the flight after the requirements of transparency and respect for the state were met.

Hungary has not yet commented on the case.

(reuters, sie)