DODIK: IMPORTANT DECISIONS AHEAD, EVERYTHING WILL BE EASIER IF WE STAY TOGETHER

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 3 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik said today that important decisions lie ahead for both Republika Srpska and Serbia, but that things will be easier if they remain together, and expressed his belief that the policies currently in place will remain dominant.

Addressing the Serbia–Republika Srpska Parliamentary Forum, Dodik said that the forum was proof that something had been achieved, thanked Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and stressed that Republika Srpska and Serbia had acted as one team. He said that efforts were being made to undermine the constitutional position of Republika Srpska, noting that Sarajevo was now raising the question of whether the National Assembly can review decisions of the Presidency of BiH. "That is the final stage in stripping Republika Srpska of its powers through courts acting on instructions, and this struggle will not diminish," Dodik said. He also stressed that, at present, 73,000 citizens of Republika Srpska are being sued over social media posts in which they mention General Ratko Mladić, which, he said, shows that Serbs continue to live under worse conditions than before. He said they would not succeed in preventing large numbers of people from gathering in town squares and paying tribute to General Mladić. "Instead of accepting the hand of reconciliation, Muslims are trying to play the second half... We in Republika Srpska are not happy with our position; important and difficult decisions lie ahead, elections in Serbia and Republika Srpska," Dodik said. He stressed that the Serb people do not see their future in BiH, where they have been persecuted, saying he believes this will likely continue. According to him, they have managed to impose a certain narrative about the truth through the Hague Tribunal, while the facts are not getting through because no one wants to hear them. He stressed the importance of the Declaration adopted at the All-Serb Assembly, noting that there had been attempts to ban the celebration of January 9, but that they would not succeed. He added that a motorway in Republika Srpska is also named after the date. Dodik said that he had been on the political scene for many years, and that the scope for cooperation with Serbia had never been as open as it was under Vučić, adding that the doors had undoubtedly been opened without any attempt to say, "You have to do it this way." "We want a strong Serbia," Dodik said, highlighting its strength on the international stage, but noting that the gatherings taking place there are draining its energy. He added that a greater degree of integration could be expected in the period ahead, and that he did not believe this would be detrimental to anyone. "I believe we need to abandon some misconceptions. We do not need to justify ourselves to anyone, but rather put historical issues back on the agenda," Dodik said. Dodik said he wanted to see a greater degree of cooperation, as well as joint sessions of the two parliaments where development, infrastructure, education, culture and other issues would be discussed.