CVIJANOVIĆ: SRPSKA WELCOMES PUSH TO END OHR MANDATE

SARAJEVO, JUNE 1 /SRNA/ - The Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović has stated that Republika Srpska welcomes the initiative to bring the Office of the High Representative /OHR/ to an end, stressing that 30 years after the war is enough time for unelected foreigners to stop imposing laws instead of domestic institutions.

"Neither the OHR, nor the high representative himself, represent any guarantee for the survival of BiH or a guarantee of security", Cvijanović told a press conference in Sarajevo following a meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa. Cvijanović stressed that all crises BiH has gone through were generated by the actions of unelected foreign officials. "We do not seek to take credit for anything. Our position in Republika Srpska is that the OHR should be completely closed, immediately", she emphasized. She pointed out that the only guarantee for BiH's survival lies with its constituent peoples, other citizens, institutions and internal dialogue. "If those exist, then the state exists. If they do not, there is no external factor that can preserve it indefinitely or take responsibility for it", the Serb member of the BiH Presidency said. She added that Republika Srpska supports the proposal coming from the United States administration, considering it a logical step after years of what she described as unlawful conduct. Cvijanović said she conveyed to Costa her support for the principles of sovereignty and self-governance, meaning that BiH, in accordance with its Constitution and applicable laws, should independently adopt all solutions and regulations necessary for the functioning of the country rather than relying on artificial arrangements. "I do not believe that this exit strategy or transitional period for the OHR leading to its complete closure, would be beneficial only for BiH, but also for our future communication with the EU", Cvijanović said. She added that Costa is a friend of all peoples in BiH, as well as of institutions at all levels of government, which she said is not always the case with EU officials. "Costa is open-minded, and it is always a pleasure to speak with him because our discussions are based on clear principles and conducted in a very constructive manner", Cvijanović said, adding that there was no discussion about any NATO path for BiH, but rather about what should be done regarding the country's EU path. Responding to Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency Denis Bećirović, who said that "entities cannot exist without BiH", Cvijanović stressed that BiH cannot exist without its entities and emphasized that BiH is not a unitary state. “The Serb member of the BiH Presidency is elected in Republika Srpska and is constitutionally obliged to protect the interests of Republika Srpska within the joint body that serves as the collective head of state, namely the BiH Presidency", Cvijanović stressed. She pointed out that members of the Presidency speak on behalf of BiH only when they have reached a joint position. Cvijanović's response came after Bećirović attempted to conclude the press conference following the meeting between the members of the BiH Presidency and Costa.