CVIJANOVIĆ: MUCH BETTER AND MORE STABLE DAYS LIE AHEAD FOR SRPSKA

TESLIĆ, JULY 5 /SRNA/ – The Serb BiH Presidency member Željka Cvijanović says the United States' approach to BiH has changed significantly and that there is no longer any tolerance for abuses by either domestic or international factors, expressing confidence that much better and more stable days lie ahead for Republika Srpska.

"There is now a rational approach in which there are no favourites and no more understanding for the abuses that have taken place here, whether by domestic or foreign factors," Cvijanović told the press in Teslić. She says that, thanks to the current U.S. administration, Christian Schmidt, whom Republika Srpska did not recognise as the high representative and who caused harm over the past several years, had left BiH. She added that this meant the door had been opened to better times and expressed confidence that such times were indeed in store for Republika Srpska. "We simply need to be wise, remain united, understand that the people and the institutions are one and that freedom is now defended in a completely different way," Cvijanović said. She added that she was proud to be part of a team working to build a completely different future for Republika Srpska. "If I did not believe in that, I would never have chosen to do this. I firmly believe that much better and more stable days are ahead of us, and I hope we will all contribute to making that happen," Cvijanović said. She also said that the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Republika Srpska officials demonstrated Washington's attitude toward Republika Srpska, noting that each of the sanctioned individuals had held an important position within the Republic's institutional system. "We have opportunities for partnership, and we must remain credible," Cvijanović added.