“We are witnessing daily attacks on Republika Srpska from so-called political Sarajevo and attempts to undermine or at least relativize the Dayton Agreement through various legal measures aimed at enabling the outvoting of Serb representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH. We are fully aware of this and will not allow it. The Constitution of BiH guarantees Republika Srpska all its acquired rights, and that will remain so,” said Radovan Višković, the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, in an interview with Novosti.
- “For the current generation of politicians leading Republika Srpska, Srpska is sacred. Regardless of all pressures, we will persist in protecting the autonomy and rights of Republika Srpska and the Serb people within BiH,” Višković emphasized.
Dayton Agreement – Key to BiH’s survival
The Dayton Agreement recently marked its 29th anniversary. How important is this document for the survival of Republika Srpska and BiH, and why are those who claim to support BiH among its greatest detractors?
The Dayton Agreement is crucial, primarily for the survival of BiH. It is absurd that those who profess to support BiH are actually undermining it through constant attempts to erode Dayton. Without Dayton, there is no BiH. Dayton provides the constitutional and legal framework for BiH to function, and Republika Srpska fully supports that framework—a BiH consisting of two equal entities and three constituent peoples.
Republika Srpska’s defense against Sarajevo’s attacks
Can Srpska defend itself from the attacks of Sarajevo and Bosniak politicians, supported by certain Western countries, and protect the original Dayton Agreement?
Srpska can and must defend itself.
Consequences of unpacking Dayton
What would the total unraveling of the Dayton Agreement mean in practice, and how could Srpska respond to such efforts?
Unpacking Dayton would open Pandora’s box of uncertainty for BiH and its survival. However, any changes cannot occur without the consent of all three sides in BiH, which is not forthcoming and will not happen anytime soon. Moreover, no changes to Dayton can occur without the consent of Serbia and Croatia as signatories. Since such consent does not exist, the dismantling of Dayton will remain an unfulfilled wish of certain political circles in Sarajevo.
Unitary BiH – A perpetual goal
Unitary BiH remains the ultimate goal of Bosniak politics, evident in the efforts to strip Srpska of its competencies and attack its institutions. Will this pressure continue to intensify?
The pressure on Republika Srpska is constant and relentless. Beyond the ongoing attempts to strip Srpska of its rights and competencies, the leading figures in Srpska have become targets of the American administration, with their basic human rights threatened. At the same time, a Kafkaesque legal process is being conducted against the President of Republika Srpska, and it is clear that all these actions aim to break Srpska’s backbone.
Defending against pressures
You and other key figures in Srpska have been under attack by the U.S. administration and the Office of the High Representative (OHR). Can Srpska defend itself, and how?
Operating under such circumstances is not easy, but we remain resolute in our commitment to defending Srpska’s inalienable rights and autonomy, guaranteed by the Dayton Agreement and the Constitution. At the same time, Srpska is highly visible internationally and has genuine friends who understand its position and are willing to help preserve its rights within BiH.
Criticism of relations with Russia
Sarajevo, the OHR, and the U.S. Embassy in BiH frequently criticize Srpska’s relationship with Russia. Why do you think these relations are problematic for them?
Russia has been a sincere friend to Republika Srpska over the years. As a witness to the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Russia consistently emphasizes the need for its full implementation and highlights attempts to revise or disregard it. This principled stance is likely the main reason why Srpska’s good relations with Russia are seen as problematic.
Strengthening ties with Hungary and Serbia
The Government of Republika Srpska has strong ties and projects with Hungary, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is recognized as a good partner. What do these relations mean for Srpska?
Prime Minister Orbán is a friend of the Serb people in Republika Srpska and Serbia. Thanks to the excellent relations between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Republika Srpska’s President Milorad Dodik, cooperation is at a high level, forming the foundation for joint projects in the economy and infrastructure. This partnership offers a great framework for realizing mutual interests.
U.S. Embassy criticism and financial stability
The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo frequently criticizes Srpska’s Government, often claiming financial instability. What is the purpose of such narratives?
The goal is to sow unrest among citizens and undermine trust in the Government and institutions. Fortunately, these are baseless claims, disproved by the facts. For instance, the recent budget rebalance increased the budget by 75 million BAM—something no government facing financial collapse could achieve. All budgetary obligations are met regularly, proving Srpska’s financial stability.
Closer cooperation between Srpska and Serbia
Sarajevo, the OHR, and the U.S. Embassy also criticize the strengthening ties between Srpska and Serbia, particularly the adoption of the All-Serb Assembly Declaration. Why is this problematic for them?
Strengthening relations between Srpska and Serbia harms no one in BiH. Joint infrastructure projects, such as highways and energy facilities, benefit all citizens in BiH. The All-Serb Assembly Declaration focuses on economy, infrastructure, energy, culture, and regional cooperation—none of which harm or offend any other people.
Surviving Western pressure
Can the Serb people on both sides of the Drina survive the pressure from certain Western countries?
The Serb people will survive and withstand all pressures because they fight for their rights in accordance with international law. History shows that unity and determination have always been the key to overcoming challenges. The strong relationship between Srpska and Serbia, led by Presidents Vučić and Dodik, is the cornerstone of our resilience.
Expectations from U.S. policy changes
Do you expect changes in U.S. policy toward Srpska if Republicans take power?
We expect the new U.S. administration to fairly assess the situation in BiH based on the Dayton Agreement and BiH’s Constitution. This could lead to improved political relations within BiH and an accelerated path to EU membership, which is vital for the people.
Source: RTRS
