CVIJANOVIĆ: SRPSKA HAS SHOWN ITS ABILITY TO ACT IN NEW GLOBAL CIRCUMSTANCES

BANJA LUKA, November 7 /SRNA/ – The Serb member of the Presidency of BiH Željka Cvijanović, told SRNA that Republika Srpska has demonstrated its ability to react at crucial moments, adapt to all circumstances, and act accordingly.

"We must protect ourselves from the possibility of being mistreated or deprived of rights. It is necessary to create space for meaningful dialogue in order to reach our goals. We need to draw a line now, and I believe we are doing so, because Republika Srpska has built mechanisms to resist threats," Cvijanović said in SRNA's podcast. She added that Republika Srpska must seek its place within global circumstances and believes it has already found it. Cvijanović noted that political ambitions within BiH are beginning to clash through the process of European integration, stressing that in Sarajevo, that process has been perceived as an opportunity to strip away the competences of Republika Srpska. "I believe the essence is that everyone should take part in that process as they should, in accordance with the Constitution, and that everyone should make a contribution," Cvijanović said. She stated that a sustainable solution must be found to establish genuine dialogue, rather than simply fulfilling the wishes of certain individuals. "Every issue has become deeply politicized. There is a certain sickness in Sarajevo. They want to decide who will be the presidents of parties based in Republika Srpska. I think they've taken too much liberty, and it's time they step back. As for us, I believe we have the mechanisms to resist and that the hardest times are behind us," Cvijanović emphasized. She said that the period ahead should be turned into political and economic capital, and that Republika Srpska is ready for it. According to her, things in BiH must change when it comes to foreign policy, noting that this area has been abused by the Bosniak political elite. "I think we'll have to draw some lines there as well. We're living in an era of rotten compromises. I expect changes and certain shifts. Things must be brought back within constitutional boundaries," Cvijanović said. UNNECESSARY SCHMIDT'S SNAP ELECTION; SNSD WILL WIN AND KEEP WINNING Speaking about the upcoming snap presidential elections in Republika Srpska, the Serb member of the BiH Presidency said they are unnecessary and called them "Schmidt's elections". "It's a waste of time and money. The elections are a continuation and confirmation of the fact that an usurper imposed amendments to the Criminal Code, prescribing that anyone who doesn't respect his decisions will go to prison and be banned from political activity," Cvijanović said in SRNA's podcast. She noted that elections are normally an important matter, but not in this case. "This crisis has been artificially provoked. For me, these are Schmidt's and unnecessary elections," said Cvijanović, who is also the vice president of SNSD. "These elections are unnecessary. I know what our political mission is. I also know that we will win and keep winning, overcoming obstacles even when others set the rules. Things have reached an absurd level, but Republika Srpska has survived many absurdities," Cvijanović said. She added that all this has led to a greater awareness in Republika Srpska - that it now knows how to respond when the time comes. Cvijanović reminded that the opposition was the first to register to participate in the snap presidential elections, adding that it is well known that this mandate belongs to SNSD and Milorad Dodik, who earned the trust of the voters. She pointed out that the organization of these elections followed a series of illogical and unlawful moves, primarily those of Christian Schmidt. "We are aware of what the Constitution says and who enacts laws. Because of political and other influences, we've reached the point where new elections are being forced. I want to say this is the result of a combination of certain processes. However, we've managed to deal with this situation as well. Everything that's being done to Republika Srpska is inhumane, not to say anti-civilizational and anti-democratic," Cvijanović stated. She added that no one, not even Schmidt, should be making laws, and that Republika Srpska must assess for itself what needs, and what doesn't need to be done. "This country is proof of a sad state of affairs. Hatred and intolerance live here. You have people like Bakir Izetbegović who think they have the right to say that Milorad Dodik shouldn't be the president of his party. Imagine if someone from SNSD came and said who shouldn't be the president of a party in FBiH, and then linked them to radical figures," Cvijanović said, adding that such a policy will come to an end. She emphasized that Republika Srpska is a constructive actor and approaches all issues in that manner.