MINIĆ: COMMITTED TO EUROPEAN PATH WITHOUT PAYING POLITICAL PRICE

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 9 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska is committed to the European path, but not at the expense of its constitutional powers or the sovereignty guaranteed by the Dayton Peace Agreement, Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić said.

"Through European integration, financial assistance is presented to citizens as a significant benefit, but political price must also be taken into account, as reflected in attempts to transfer Republika Srpska’s competences to BiH level," Minić told the press in Banja Luka. He assessed that the necessary funds could easily be secured on today’s capital markets. "Perhaps these are somewhat more favourable terms, but the political interest, the political price, is something we cannot discuss if it entails abolishing certain Republika Srpska’s competences or transferring them to the BiH level," Minić stated. He believes that the European path should not be considered without a critical assessment of the situation within the EU itself. He also pointed to problems certain European countries have been facing, including business closures in Germany and unrest among young people in France. Minić has stressed that Republika Srpska wants good relations with all partners and a European perspective, but will not accept conditions that would jeopardize its position and constitutional powers. Republika Srpska Minister for European Integration and International Cooperation Zlatan Klokić says the European integration must not be used as a means of BiH centralization. He emphasized that Republika Srpska remains committed to European integration, but that preserving its constitutional powers is a fundamental condition for continuing the process. "Republika Srpska is indeed committed to the European path, but we want to preserve everything defined by our constitutional powers," Klokić said. Once official Sarajevo understands that the European integration process cannot be used to centralize BiH or establish institutions detrimental to Srpska, Klokić says, discussions can begin. "Until then, we will defend everything defined by the BiH Constitution and the Dayton Peace Agreement," Klokić concluded.