In the United Nations Security Council, the Russian side acts clearly, consistently and in accordance with international law, and for Republika Srpska it is of crucial importance that a voice of reason is heard there, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik told RT Balkan.
“That is an essential necessity in contrast to the falsehoods we have been hearing for more than twenty years from certain Western countries, which constantly create artificial narratives and then claim to be fighting against them,” Dodik said.
He assessed that such a partner can significantly ease the position of Republika Srpska and stressed that the Serbian side greatly appreciates Russia’s approach.
Dodik argued that Western countries have undermined the Dayton Peace Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while unjustifiably accusing Republika Srpska of doing so, despite its efforts to defend what it considers the original provisions of the agreement.
Speaking about the Office of the High Representative (OHR), Dodik reiterated his view that the institution was flawed from the beginning and described the concept of a High Representative of the “international community” as illegitimate.
He questioned how Christian Schmidt could submit a resignation when, in Dodik’s view, he had never been legally appointed to the position.
“Now they are attempting once again, outside the framework of the Dayton Agreement, to appoint a new High Representative. Republika Srpska is not even given the opportunity to participate in that process. Instead, they simply send us someone, as they did with Schmidt,” Dodik said.
According to Dodik, the UN Security Council is the only body that can confirm a High Representative, and only after a candidate has been jointly agreed upon by Republika Srpska, Serbia, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He argued that Bosnia and Herzegovina has become an experiment in which political logic no longer functions.
“The sooner we part ways peacefully, the more durable and lasting peace will be,” Dodik said.
Regarding economic cooperation with Russia, Dodik noted that Banja Luka continues to seek ways to expand cooperation despite current geopolitical circumstances.
“We intend to do even more in that field, especially in areas where we are too small to act independently. That is why we have asked to be included in projects related to artificial intelligence and to increase opportunities for our students to study in Russia so they can acquire specialized knowledge that would benefit Republika Srpska,” he said.
Referring to the recent visit of a Russian Interior Ministry delegation to Banja Luka, Dodik stated that while Republika Srpska can learn a great deal from Russia about counterterrorism, Russia can also learn from Republika Srpska’s experience, given that Serbs were exposed to direct terrorist attacks roughly two decades ago.
Source: RTRS
