The confirmation of the first-instance verdict against the president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, has caused deep concern among citizens of Republika Srpska in Austria and across Europe, said Mladen Filipović, head of the Representative Office of Republika Srpska in Austria, in a statement for SRNA.
Filipović pointed out that what is particularly troubling is the political context in which the decision was made, as well as the possible consequences it may have for the internal stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Republika Srpska is an equal and constituent entity within BiH, and the institution of the president is the cornerstone of its constitutional, democratic, and political order,” Filipović emphasized.
According to him, attacks on a legitimately elected president are at the same time an attempt to undermine the foundations of peace established by the Dayton Agreement.
“Our large diaspora in Austria and across Europe stands firmly with President Dodik and the institutions of Republika Srpska. That support is not only visible through public statements, gatherings, and press releases of our citizens’ associations, but also through daily cooperation with the Representative Office on projects that strengthen economic, cultural, and educational ties with the homeland,” Filipović said.
He announced that the Representative Office of Republika Srpska in Austria, in line with its responsibilities, will continue to actively work on strengthening ties with the diaspora, as well as on objectively informing the international public about political processes that directly impact stability and the constitutional order in BiH.
“In this context, we strongly support the statement by the president of Republika Srpska referring to the words of U.S. President Donald Trump, who said: ‘It is time to stop the lies, deceit, slander, and legal persecution through fake lawsuits against me.’
As President Dodik emphasized, today, when judicial institutions in BiH are being instrumentalized and act on the orders of unelected foreign representatives, these words sound as if they were spoken in Banja Luka,” Filipović stated.
He expressed confidence that “in these challenging times, the institutions of Republika Srpska—supported by its citizens and our diaspora—will remain united, responsible, and consistent in defending their constitutional competencies and rights guaranteed by the Dayton Peace Agreement.”
Source: RTRS
