DODIK: THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA IS TODAY ONE OF THE SAFEST AREAS

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 4 /SRNA/ - The President of SNSD Milorad Dodik, stated that the Republika Srpska is one of the most peaceful and safest areas, emphasizing that any society seeking security, stability, and peace must develop its institutions responsible for security.

"It is not easy for us to operate here. It is not easy within this framework called BiH, imposed by global actors and particularly misused by Sarajevo, where there are efforts to undermine everything," Dodik told reporters after the ceremony marking April 4, the Police Day of the Republika Srpska. He thanked police officers and paid special tribute to those who lost their lives, both during and after the war. Dodik recalled that about fifteen years ago, the main issue was police reform, which, he said, was intended to turn into a defeat for the Republika Srpska. "And to this day, they are trying to show that we should contribute to some imagination called BiH," Dodik said. He described BiH as a divided, unstable, and unconstitutional society. "We live our lives in BiH, but here in the Republika Srpska we are striving to preserve stability and peace," Dodik said. He stressed that today the Republika Srpska is one of the most peaceful and safest areas. "We are facing organized crime, particularly in the area of narcotics, and that is something we will devote significant attention to in the coming period, including equipping the police and everything else," Dodik noted. He highlighted that he is particularly encouraged by the fact that this year's recruitment call for future police officers attracted three to four times more applicants compared to last year, when there were only a few dozen interested candidates for secondary school and later the security academy. "That is a guarantee for the Republika Srpska. We want to continue this and we will. We are fighting for its status," Dodik pointed out. He also recalled that police salaries were significantly increased last year, and this year for other employees within the Ministry of Interior as well. "By the end of the year, there will certainly be another increase that will include everyone, including police officers in the Republika Srpska. We understand what needs to be done, and police officers understand their responsibilities as well," Dodik concluded.