DODIK: ANNA LUHRMANN HAD BAD INTENTIONS, THAT’S WHY SHE IS NOT WELCOME IN SRPSKA

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 6 /SRNA/ - The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, says that the intention behind the visit of the German Minister for Europe and Climate, Anna Lührmann, to Banja Luka was a bad one, aimed at further belittling Republika Srpska and interfering in its internal affairs and those of BiH. Therefore, the Government of Republika Srpska sent her a message that she is not welcome.

He pointed out that Lührmann's visit to Banja Luka, without informing the authorities about it, with the intention to meet with one structure in the opposition rather than with the people who are the majority representatives of the nation, was arranged by the vice president of the PDP, Igor Crnadak.

"Their intentions are bad, at least those of the previous German government, which will be leaving in a few days. And this minister, who was here, is part of that outgoing Green government, which can be compared to Hitler's fascists in terms of their attitude toward us. They arranged this with Crnadak, who is incomplete in every sense. They did this to further belittle Republika Srpska; they arranged her visit without notifying the authorities," Dodik told reporters in Banja Luka.

He emphasized that the authorities only learned about Lührmann's visit when the opposition started speaking about it publicly, after which the reaction followed. He said that Lührmann was not denied entry into Republika Srpska, but the Government of Republika Srpska told her that she was not welcome and that she could pass through Srpska without a stop.

"We told her nicely, don’t linger, don’t engage in any activities, don’t interfere in the internal affairs of BiH and Republika Srpska," said Dodik.

He explained that Lührmann is interfering by talking to a certain structure in the opposition, rather than with those who are the majority representatives of the people.

"What is that if not interference? But these are old tricks, like those of the Green structure in Europe, that is losing. It's losing, it's leaving. And she came here, and next week she won’t be a minister anymore. She came here to vent her frustration. And of course, she couldn’t," said Dodik.

He emphasized that he supported the efforts of the government, and that he believed a stronger reaction was necessary.

"The police used protocols to have her leave Republika Srpska. She nicely packed her things and left, and there is no problem at all," said Dodik.

Regarding sanctions that banned him, the Speaker of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, Nenad Stevandić, and the Prime Minister of Srpska, Radovan Višković, from entering Germany, Dodik said that he is not interested in that country in any way.

"/When it comes to Austria/ the people in Austria know that we support the largest political party in that country, and they support us, and that is the Freedom Party," said Dodik, who is also the leader of the SNSD.

He also asked how other political parties could come here and support the opposition, while it is forbidden for others to go to Austria and support their opposition.

"Why? And why do you think you have more rights than we do? What makes you think you have more rights than we do?" Dodik asked.