Republika Srpska - Declaration - reaction
07/08/2026
14:04

BELGRADE, JULY 8 /SRNA/ - Political analyst Stevica Deđanski assessed that the Declaration on the Protection of Vital National Interests of the Serb People highlights all the flaws of the current system in BiH, and that this very well-worded document should be forwarded to Russia, the United States and China.
Deđanski believes it is important that the Declaration, which was unanimously adopted by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, once again emphasises that there is no longer a need for the OHR to exist, as after so many years of operation it has failed to resolve the problems.
"We have to go back to the beginning, which means the need to engage in mutual dialogue, while respecting the rights of every state. As stated in the Declaration, it appears that we are the only ones defending the Dayton Agreement and the only ones respecting it, while everyone else interprets it through the so-called `spirit` of Dayton. That in itself is absurd and has no legal effect," Deđanski told SRNA.
He stressed that the Declaration pointed out that the use of the Bonn powers is the bone of contention, through which various rights have been taken away from Republika Srpska, which is unacceptable if normal life is to be achieved.
"Republika Srpska is not a province within BiH, but a state that is constitutive within BiH, and it must be treated accordingly. Republika Srpska must be respected, rather than having the views of Sarajevo or certain High Representatives imposed on it, some of whom were legally appointed and some of whom were not," Deđanski stressed.
He believes that the Declaration is appropriate, but that it will likely be met with strong opposition in Sarajevo because they do not want the Dayton Peace Agreement to be implemented and have no intention of cooperating.
"This is something we need to send to the addresses that understand it well, namely Russia, the United States and China, unlike those who do not want matters in BiH to function in accordance with the Dayton Agreement, such as Germany, the United Kingdom or Brussels," Deđanski said.