The president of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, sent an open letter to the embassies of the Quint countries, NATO representatives, and the EU Delegation Office in BiH, in response to their statements regarding the conclusions adopted by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska at its 16th special session.
We are publishing the letter from the president of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, Stevandić, in full:
Dear Excellencies,
I express my gratitude for your statement and the continued attention you pay to Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, I must point out certain tones and formulations in your address that, with due respect, are somewhat unusual for diplomatic discourse.
Characterizing the conclusions of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska as a “serious threat to the constitutional order” is objectively exaggerated, as are the media and propaganda spins about secession that preceded the session. These conclusions are based on preserving the legal order of BiH, upholding dignity, and exercising the legitimate right to democratic expression. This perspective must be placed in a broader context.
The dominant term in your statement—”submission”—raises many questions. Isn’t freedom of expression, which is a cornerstone of democratic principles, one of the values we all share? Clearly, conventions of “submission” have no place in modern political vocabulary, except in the context of totalitarian systems, which I believe we collectively condemn.
While I understand that your position may be well-intentioned, I must express concern that insisting on “primacy” and “submission” could be interpreted as an attempt to restrict the space for legitimate debate.
Historically, my family and many citizens of Republika Srpska, primarily members of the Serb people, have faced grave consequences and crimes precisely because they refused submission. Our ancestors paid a high price for their dignity and freedom, and this spirit of defiance is deeply rooted in our identity.
While I personally advocate for pragmatic solutions and compromises, dignity is a value I cannot and will not sacrifice, not even for short-term gains. My grandfather was taken to the Mauthausen concentration camp for this very reason, along with hundreds of thousands of Serb anti-fascists.
Your statement reflects a serious tone and determination, which is understandable given the challenges facing BiH. However, such an approach—which includes implicit threats of political blockades and anti-Dayton qualifications—may be counterproductive.
Isn’t the role of diplomacy to build bridges and create space for dialogue, rather than further polarize a society already burdened by historical divisions?
Finally, I wish to emphasize my readiness for cooperation and constructive dialogue. Our shared goals—peace, stability, and a European future for Bosnia and Herzegovina—require mutual respect and understanding.
I hope you interpret my tone as an expression of a desire for more productive and less confrontational communication. Nations that lack shared values rarely survive.
I genuinely believe that your aggressive support for building a Bosniak identity by leveraging Euro-Atlantic integration, while opposing the rights of Republika Srpska, cannot continue by denying Serb identity.
Such actions lead to confrontation rather than unity. I also understand the geopolitical confrontation and attempts to paint Srpska with the Russian flag, providing justification for violating the constitution to our detriment.
However, despite not rejecting the flag of BiH, we mostly and proudly use our own flag, to which we have been devoted for centuries.
This reflects our stance and our right to remain neutral and independent while preserving our constitutional and general rights without endangering any other nation or citizen and safeguarding peace in BiH.
Sincerely,
Nenad Stevandić
President of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska
Source: RTRS
