CVIJANOVIĆ: WHAT MATTERS MOST FOR SRPSKA IS RATIONAL APPROACH FROM WASHINGTON

BELGRADE, AUGUST 4 /SRNA/ – Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović says the most important thing for Republika Srpska is a normal and rational approach from the United States, which opens a new perspective for cooperation, particularly in the areas of economy and security.

In an interview with Večernje Novosti, Cvijanović said that unlike Bosniak politicians, Srpska has never sought favoritism, but only equal treatment and respect for the actual content of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Asked whether Republika Srpska's diplomatic outreach in the U.S. could lead to lifting sanctions against its officials, Cvijanović responded that miracles and manipulations were done with sanctions during previous US administrations. She emphasized that sanctions were not the cause, but rather the consequence of harmful and unjust actions by prior administrations led by Barack Obama and Joseph Biden, who were decisively defeated in the last US presidential election. "It's no secret that Republika Srpska hoped for and welcomed that outcome, while official Sarajevo wanted the continuation of a globalist agenda that would keep doing anti-Dayton concept of BiH centralization," she said. Cvijanović noted that much has come to light in recent months, though she declined to elaborate further. "After all, the previous U.S. administration, which massively sanctioned individuals and legal entities from Srpska, also inflicted great harm on President Trump and people around him. There is a growing number of important people in Washington who now understand that," she stated. Cvijanović added that Republika Srpska highly values the approach of the new US administration headed by President Trump, as well as the messages from its representatives. According to him, their policy is based on non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. "This is a huge shift from the previous administration, which pushed for nation-building and foreign-imposed governance, entirely opposite to Trump's political orientation and the democratic principles promoted by Vice President Vance," Cvijanović said. She says the messages voiced a few months ago in Dayton by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reflect this new approach. "America no longer wants to act as the world's policeman. When it comes to BiH, all outstanding issues should be resolved by us through dialogue and cooperation. That is exactly what Republika Srpska has always insisted on. This opens a completely new perspective for cooperation, especially in economy and security, including the fight against terrorism and addressing other threats and challenges," Cvijanović stated. Asked whether there are any initiatives for a "Dayton 2," Cvijanović replied that the topic was not brought up either at the conference in Dayton or elsewhere. "Talks there mostly revolved around the strategic directions of the new American administration under President Trump. They are interested in maintaining peace and stability in BiH, with decisions made by its institutions and elected representatives reaching solutions through dialogue," she said. She stressed it was clearly stated that the US does not intend to create life in BiH or impose solutions, as previous administrations had done. "On the other hand, calls for stronger international intervention in BiH or continued sanctions and foreign dictates came only from Christian Schmidt and a few retired deep state figures who happened to be present, but their time is passing," Cvijanović noted. She said the problem with the Dayton Peace Agreement is that it was subjected to unlawful revisions immediately after signing, which eroded trust and led to ongoing crises. "That is not the fault of Republika Srpska, but rather of the foreign politicians who have imposed unsustainable solutions for decades along with Sarajevo politicians whose political wishes those internationals fulfill, all under the guise of making BiH `functional`. In reality, the country has been paralyzed by foreign experimental and dictatorial interventions," Cvijanović said. Commenting on the failed attempt to impose sanctions on Russia within BiH due to Srpska's position, Cvijanović emphasized that Republika Srpska supports peace and dialogue. "From the very beginning, we've been clear on that, and our position hasn't changed. We are principled opponents of any sanctions, and all we want is for peace to prevail in Ukraine and for the suffering and destruction to end. We know well from our own wartime experience and sanctions what both of those bring, or rather, what they take away," she highlighted.