A total of 55 deputies voted for the agreement, five voted against while 15 deputies abstained. The document foresees that the competence for police laws and the budget would be established at the state level, political influence would be removed from the operative work of the police, while operative command would remain at the local level.
The European Commission informed President Cavic during the extraordinary session of the Bosnian Serb entity's parliament that his proposal of the agreement was in line with the principles of police reform in Bosnia and if the parliament adopted it without amendments, the document would be a crucial factor for receiving the recommendation for the start of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU.
Immediately after the extraordinary session, President Cavic expressed satisfaction with the results of voting and stressed that Republika Srpska was no longer a factor which halted Bosnia's path to the EU. He also said the government of Republika Srpska would by the end of the year form an office for the implementation of police reform.
The agreement was adopted a day before the deadline set by the international community which insists on the police shake-up before Sarajevo starts negotiations with the European Union on the SAA.