STEVANDIĆ: REPUBLIKA SRPSKA REMAINS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING PEACE AND STABILITY

BANJA LUKA, FEBRUARY 18 /SRNA/ - The Speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Nenad Stevandić stated that Republika Srpska remains committed to preserving peace and stability in BiH and is ready for any form of communication and compromise, without jeopardizing Dayton rights and constitutional principles, as well as rights regulated by international acts.

During today's meeting with the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in BiH John Ginkel, Stevandić emphasized that Republika Srpska intends to remain militarily neutral and to exercise its right to decide independently in accordance with its constitutional competencies. He added that Republika Srpska has no intention of governing or determining anything for other peoples in BiH, nor of invoking international interventionism for its own benefit, but at the same time does not accept interventionism based on the actions of the High Representative and the Office of the High Representative /OHR/, which deepens the political crisis by taking sides within BiH. Stevandić expressed his expectation that the policy of Republika Srpska, based on peacefulness, institutional responsibility, and gratitude to the United States for its contribution to de-escalating the situation in BiH, will also receive understanding and support from European countries, on the principles of mutual respect and appreciation, the National Assembly said in a statement. He added that he was pleased with the position of the US administration that the United States supports a BiH organized in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement, the rights of peoples and entities, and their equality.