DODIK: TREATMENT OF COMPANIES FROM SRPSKA RAISES DOUBTS ABOUT OBJECTIVITY AND TRANSPARENCY

BANJA LUKA, MARCH 19 /SRNA/ - SNSD President Milorad Dodik said it is concerning that everything coming from Republika Srpska is systematically questioned, noting that a company from Srpska, despite having the most favorable bid in a tender, was rejected today by the Central Election Commission /CEC/ of BiH, which further deepens doubts about the objectivity and transparency of institutions in BiH.

"The question arises-has any business entity from the Federation of BiH ever been exposed to similar treatment as entrepreneurs from Republika Srpska, who often face procedures before BiH-level institutions? Such practice calls into question equality and legal certainty," Dodik said at a press conference in Banja Luka. At the same time, Dodik emphasized, there is increasing presence of companies from the FBiH on the market of Republika Srpska, including a significant share in the retail and energy sectors. "This raises questions of economic balance and potential risks in unstable political circumstances. This, among other things, shows that our struggle was justified, and that it must continue. It will continue through political means," Dodik said. Dodik reiterated that BiH has a chance if it returns to the original Dayton Peace Accords and what is prescribed in the original Constitution. He stated that everything should be the result of agreement, while what was previously imposed by former High Representatives, including decisions made under pressure, must be annulled and returned for reconsideration. "Only such a BiH has a real chance for stability," Dodik assessed. Otherwise, he warned, BiH will continue to function in a state of permanent tensions that do not lead to anything good for Bosniaks, Serbs, or Croats. Regarding increasingly frequent allegations of alleged Islamophobia, Dodik asked whether the term is being used selectively and for political purposes. "In that context, public discourse that includes accusations and historical interpretations directed at individuals such as Mustafa Cerić and Bakir Izetbegović further complicates relations and does not contribute to reconciliation. We believe it is necessary to reject one-sided narratives about the exclusive victimhood of any people. Suffering in the past war affected all peoples in BiH, and only mutual recognition of these facts can serve as a basis for the future," Dodik said. Dodik concluded that the goal of Republika Srpska is clear-political struggle for a constitutional order based on agreement, equality and respect for all peoples. A total of 33 representatives from academic, political, cultural, social and religious life of Bosniaks signed a joint "Statement on the Condemnation of Hate Speech, Islamophobia and False Narratives about Bosniaks and BiH". The initiative was launched by the Islamic Community in BiH, the Bosniak Cultural Community, Merhamet and the Bosniak Intellectuals Congress.