STRENGTHENING DEFENSE CAPABILITIES OF SERBIAN ARMED FORCES INSTILLS SENSE OF SECURITY IN SRPSKA AS WELL

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 16 /SRNA/ - Slobodan Župljanin, a security expert, told SRNA that strengthening the defense capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces is also significant for Republika Srpska, as it instills additional security in its citizens, especially at a time when anti-Serb military alliances are being formed in the region, and when threats are coming to Republika Srpska from the other part of BiH.

Župljanin said it is encouraging that the Serbian Armed Forces are growing stronger every day, primarily to protect the security of Serbia's citizens and ensure the country’s progress in peace, noting that Serbia, as a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement, has an obligation to protect Serbs in Republika Srpska. "Serbia, as a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement, has an obligation to ensure its implementation and to protect the Serb people in Republika Srpska, in accordance with that agreement, as well as on multiple other grounds and under international acts," Župljanin said. According to him, strengthening Serbia’s defense capabilities is even more important given that all countries in the region are arming themselves and that unprincipled military alliances are being formed, such as the one between Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo, which raises the question of against whom such alliances are being formed. Slobodan Župljanin noted that, when it comes to Republika Srpska, the strength of Serbia provides additional security, as it should not be forgotten that Republika Srpska, under pressure, had to integrate its army into the Armed Forces of BiH and thereby remained without its own defense forces, and that it now relies solely on the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska, which has considerable capacity. Župljanin pointed out that Republika Srpska has in recent years been facing daily threats from the other part of BiH, from where statements have been coming about the possible use of howitzers and drones “if need be,” along with counting paramilitary formations, paintball clubs, hunters, and members of shooting associations... He added that Željka Cvijanović, the Serb member of the Presidency of BiH, stated after yesterday's meeting between the leadership of Republika Srpska, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić, and representatives of the Serbian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces that Republika Srpska feels safer when it sees significant progress in Serbia’s defense capabilities. "Republika Srpska is not alone, and there is someone to protect it if it were to be attacked by anyone. We are convinced that this will not happen, nor will it come to that," said Župljanin. He emphasized that Republika Srpska advocates peace and stability, the preservation of peace in BiH and the wider region, and seeks to resolve problems among entities and peoples through constructive dialogue, without the use of force.