EU presidency warns against Bosnian Serb secession threats

FILE PHOTO: President of Republika Srpska (Serb Republic) Milorad Dodik speaks during a parade to celebrate Serb Republic national holiday, banned by the constitutional court, in East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 9, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - The European Union on Thursday warned against secessionist threats by Bosnia's autonomous Serb Republic and laws limiting media freedom and LGBT rights that could undermine Bosnia's progress towards joining the 27-member bloc.

Bosnia was granted the status of EU candidate in mid-December, a decision prompted by fears that instability created by the war in Ukraine could spread to the volatile Western Balkans region.