DODIK: WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH HDZ BiH; CONSTITUTION OF BiH PRESIDENCY NEXT

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 12 /SRNA/ - The SNSD and HDZ BiH will continue working together, and the first step will be the constitution of the BiH Presidency, which will include Željka Cvijanović and Darijana Filipović, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik said after a meeting with an HDZ BiH delegation in Banja Luka.

"We are moving towards constituting the BiH Presidency. I believe that those who have undermined foreign policy cannot remain in place, and the Croat people are particularly underrepresented," Dodik told reporters, adding that the SNSD would support every effort by HDZ BiH in this regard.

He added that the SNSD would support efforts aimed at establishing a normal working system within the BiH Presidency.

"We need decisions that respect the constituent status of the peoples and the Constitution of BiH. Foreign policy in BiH is conducted by the Presidency, not by a minister," Dodik said, adding that the next issues on the agenda would be the Central Bank of BiH and the defense system.

He noted that HDZ BiH had demonstrated that it continued to command the attention of its voters and had achieved success, considering the circumstances in which it had operated in the Federation of BiH over the past several years.

Dodik said they had discussed establishing certain priorities that were not directed against third parties.

"We will continue working together. Neither of us will enter into speculative coalitions without the other, as they achieve nothing. Election winners must be respected. We have come through successfully and established ourselves as an indispensable factor in political life," Dodik said.

He stressed that they had the right to choose their partners, noting that some who had displayed rigid positions had disqualified themselves.

"We want the formation of government at the level of BiH to move forward, with respect for the Constitution and the constituent status of the peoples. We are not against the European path, but we are against its abuse. An agreement is needed for that," Dodik said, announcing that the next meeting would be held in Mostar.