DODIK: EUROPEAN PATH ACCEPTABLE WITH NO IMPOSITION OR SRPSKA DEGRADATION

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 2 /SRNA/ – SNSD Leader Milorad Dodik says that Republika Srpska is not fundamentally against the European path, but will not accept the imposition of policies that lead to its degradation and devastation.

Speaking at a press conference in Banja Luka following a session of the SNSD Presidency, Dodik said that cooperation with the European Union is important, but that Srpska's positions must be taken into account. He assessed that the European path has been used as a means of dismantling Republika Srpska. "We are not fundamentally opposed to the European path, but neither do we support having policies imposed on us that are intended to degrade and devastate Republika Srpska. We know that they are now insisting on putting certain laws back on the agenda. We can discuss this if our positions are taken into account. We are willing to work on this issue," Dodik said. He stressed that the European path is important to the SNSD, but that negative experiences from previous cooperation with the European Union represent a serious obstacle. "Whatever they may say, the European path is important to us. There is no doubt about that. Cooperation with the European Union is important, but our negative experiences outweigh our willingness to keep working within the existing framework," Dodik emphasized.