DODIK: I EXPECT EU TO SET PRECISE DATE FOR NEGOTIATIONS

BANJALUKA, JANUARY 22 /SRNA/ - The European path is the only way BiH can move forward, said the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, stressing that Republika Srpska remains a constructive partner in all processes on BiH's path to the EU.

Dodik stressed that this time Srpska is going with the confidence that the representatives of the "troika" will remain committed to the common goal in connection with which there is a consensus of all parties, and that is the European path. "It is clear that the accusations coming from the SDA create a problem for the 'troika', but the interest of all parties should be on reforms that will make it more functional and stable. Dialogue and agreement are the basis for that stability and functionality, and that is what SDA tried to bypass for years. We are not naive to think that the representatives of the "troika" would not try something similar, but it is clear that they do not have the capacity for such a thing, and that in this context they are more aware that they can no longer pass stories about the domination of Bosniaks over the other two constituent nations, and that can be seen in their willingness to talk," Dodik underlined in the author's text for the dodik.net portal. The President of Srpska indicated that the SDA showed its true intentions with the announced blockades, but "that will not prevent us from continuing to work actively and do everything to implement the necessary reforms". He assessed that Bakir Izetbegović's statements show his desperation, because he has hit rock bottom. "Only a misguided person can call the criminal /Osman/ Mehmedagić a patriot, or one who is in great fear of what could be revealed in the coming period. That patriot, as Izetbegović calls him, was acting on his orders," Dodik emphasized. He added that they made SDA institutions out of joint institutions, and with their dangerous actions they were tearing BiH apart, and for all that they had the support of foreigners. "Now there are some new people here, who were part of those structures, and with them we notice statements that are reminiscent of the time when the SDA was asked about everything, but they do not have that capacity nor can they go that far even with the support of foreigners, because the SNSD is by winning the last elections, ensured that the vote of Srpska was inevitable. We want to make deals and we will do it, but Bosniaks will never dominate and implement their plan in this area. Neither America, nor Britain, nor Germany, nor real or fake representatives of the foreign factor will help them there. And not because I say so, but because it is written in the Constitution and in all the documents on which BiH is maintained and on which the law rests," Dodik stressed. He stated that February is approaching, and that the last meeting gave enough room for optimism. "Republika Srpska has taken its stance, and we hope that the 'troika' will not be discouraged by the accusations from the SDA. Bosnia and Herzegovina was trapped and stuck for too long because of their dangerous activities, and Bosniak representatives could learn something from that. Fake citizens' society is a spent project and an illusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina," stated Dodik. According to him, Republika Srpska wants the Federation to function equally successfully, to get a budget, to get things started, to work on projects in both parts, to cooperate and respect each other. "I want to believe that successful cooperation based on mutual respect is possible and that the effort shown by all representatives of the parties in power will be recognized by the EU as well. A lot has been done and this time Europe will show with its decisions whether it is serious about Bosnia and Herzegovina. I expect the EU to set a precise date for the negotiations and make the process credible. Anything else would strengthen mistrust," the President of Srpska stated.