STEVANDIĆ: CLOSING THE OHR THE BEST OPTION

BANJA LUKA, MAY 25 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić has stated today in Banja Luka that closing the Office of High Representative /OHR/ in BiH is the best option for Republika Srpska.

"A transitional compromise solution could also be for the Office to remain without the so-called Bonn powers, with a clearly limited term and a guarantee that this would be the last high representative," Stevandić said in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska while explaining the Declaration on Closure of the Office of High Representative in BiH. He emphasized that Republika Srpska has a say in overall international relations, which is a foreign-policy success. Stevandić asked why representatives of Republika Srpska should participate in the formation and work of BiH institutions if there is someone who would do it instead of them. "This way of fighting for the positions of Republika Srpska is democratic, legitimate, and does not constitute a criminal offense," Stevandić believes. He noted that the National Assembly of Republika Srpska should consider positions supporting the closure of the Office and that both the ruling majority and the opposition should adopt a joint stance. "It is important for the international community to receive a unified position from Republika Srpska on this issue," Stevandić stressed.