KOVAČEVIĆ: UNITY AND SOLIDARITY OF SERBS THE BEST RESPONSE TO ALL ATTEMPTED ATTACKS ON SRPSKA AND SERBIA

BELGRADE, SEPTEMBER 11 /SRNA/ - The unity and solidarity of the Serb people are the best response to attempted attacks on Republika Srpska and Serbia, Serb deputy in the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Radovan Kovačević said.

"We are facing difficult times, but not because of us, but because of all those who will try to attack Republika Srpska and Serbia. Remain united and in solidarity must be the Serb people’s response. The best way to preserve Serbia and Srpska is to develop economically, improve the living standards of our citizens and improve our position internationally," Kovačević said.

He stressed that much better days are ahead for Serbia and Srpska and that it is only important not to stray from the course they are on and not to allow provocateurs to undermine the stability they have managed to build.

Kovačević said that the Serb people is not accustomed to the international community responding when threats are made against Serbs, Serbia and Republika Srpska.

"I call on the international community to clearly state that calls for the destruction of the Dayton Peace Agreement, for military confrontation, as well as calls on Islamists to confront Republika Srpska are unacceptable. That is the least they can say," Kovačević told Euronews Serbia.

However, Kovačević said, Serbs have become accustomed to the hypocrisy of Brussels and rely only on themselves.

He pointed out that radical, Serbophobic voices, as well as voices calling for war and wishing Serbia and Srpska the worst, come exclusively from representatives of the Bosniak people in BiH.

"That is not surprising. They are just waiting for a suitable moment to express it. They would like that Serbs do not exist in BiH, so does Republika Srpska," Kovačević stressed.

He also recalled a statement by FBiH Interior Minister Ramo Isak that a regional bloc against Serbia should be formed, consisting of Kosovo, Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro.

"Everyone against Serbia - that is their vision of the world, but that will not be possible," Kovačević said.

Regarding statements by Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković that he would expel Serbian diplomats from BiH and withdraw BiH diplomats from the BiH Embassy in Serbia, Kovačević said that Konaković constantly violates the Dayton, the laws and the Constitution, and that by doing so he can only harm BiH citizens.

"Under the Constitution of BiH, foreign policy is conducted by the Presidency of BiH, which makes key decisions, while the minister only implements what the Presidency agrees on," Kovačević recalled.

He stressed that BiH Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandar Vranješ remains fully committed to relations between Republika Srpska and Serbia and to improving them.

Regarding a call by Minister of Defence in the Council of Ministers Zukan Helez for the international community to withdraw its signature from the consent for the creation of Republika Srpska, Kovačević said that Srpska had defended itself against people like Helez throughout the entire war.

"That is absurd. What next? Are they going to call on Iran and jihadists to help them again?", Kovačević asked, noting that, unfortunately, there has been no reaction to this.

He recalled that a year ago Helez received Iran’s military attaché, whom he thanked for assistance during the war and expressed a desire to cooperate with Iran in the field of defence.

"On behalf of Republika Srpska and the Serb people, I would like to clearly support the positions expressed by Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić and President Milorad Dodik that Serbs do not need any unrest or conflicts and that Serbia and Srpska are developing well, both economically and in terms of international cooperation," Kovačević said.

Kovačević said that they wish all their neighbours all the best and want to cooperate with them.

"However, let them not think that we do not hear the nonsense they utter daily, and let them not think that there will be no response," Kovačević said.