NEW GOVERNMENT IS LEGAL

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 3 /SRNA/ – Newly appointed Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Savo Minić stated that the newly elected Government of Srpska is legal and that every court will confirm this.

Minić said he has often heard questions about whether his mandate as the Prime Minister-designate or the position of President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik is legal, but never once from those asking such questions has he heard them inquire about the legality of Christian Schmidt.

He reiterated that everything done by the institutions of Republika Srpska is legal, and that all actions are carried out in the interest of Srpska and its people.

Minić added that he received congratulations from colleagues in the Federation of BiH, such as the Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry Kemal Hrnjić, who never questioned the legality, but congratulated him yesterday.

He emphasized that the Federation of BiH is a partner of Republika Srpska, since together Srpska and the Federation make up BiH.

Minić expressed confidence that citizens of both the Federation and Srpska think alike—that they should be good neighbors—but that the project of some foreign ambassadors and part of the political establishment has pushed a different narrative.

"Ninety percent of issues we can resolve. Where do we encounter problems at the FBiH level? Then you have BiH level where you can clearly see every time the obstruction aimed at undermining the functionality of Srpska," Minić said at the press conference.

He added that this demonstrates a lack of respect for the Dayton Agreement, and that he expects confirmation of its validity from those who are its guarantors.

"Only the BiH level blocks progress, while our real partner is the Federation of BiH. I will contact colleagues and the Prime Minister of the Federation and organize a joint meeting," Minić said.

He stressed that the Government of Republika Srpska will continue good international cooperation with countries with which it already has established relations, as well as with new partners.