DODIK PROPOSES HIGH-LEVEL ADVISORY TEAM TO REVIEW STRATEGIC TIES

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 30 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik said today that during his visit to Moscow he proposed that Republika Srpska and Russia establish a high-level advisory team made up of their presidents and prime ministers to review strategic relations.

"This would be preceded by a joint session of the two governments. Russia is one of the guarantors of the Dayton Peace Accords and has the right to cooperate with the parties that signed that agreement", Dodik said at a press conference at Mahovljani Airport following the return of the Republika Srpska delegation from Russia. Dodik reminded of the Russia's supports for the Dayton Peace Accords and said it was necessary to return to its original provisions and restore the competencies of Republika Srpska. "Republika Srpska has no problem with BiH, and that has been our policy for years, but it is essential to return to the original Dayton Agreement. Those in Sarajevo are badly mistaken if they think that what has been imposed will be legalized and remain part of BiH’s legal order", Dodik said. He said he had informed Russian President Vladimir Putin that, in his view, the Dayton Agreement had failed and that political opponents of what he described as a unitary regime were being removed through the BiH Court and Prosecutor's Office, creating dissatisfaction and leaving public trust in BiH lower than ever. "What is needed is a basic agreement between the three peoples and two entities in BiH. I will tell Sarajevo that the official West is not united in supporting their complaints, and that is why we need to talk realistically. Srpska is not in favor of destabilization, but we do not want to live in a country that is a protectorate. If we cannot reach an agreement, then there is no point in remaining in this country", Dodik said. Dodik added that talks also covered a new line for jet engines at the Orao aviation plant.