PAJIĆ BAŠTINAC: PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS KEY STEP IN THE PROCESS OF STRUGGLE FOR SECURING STABLE DAYTON SRPSKA

BANJA LUKA, MARCH 29 /SRNA/ - The Secretary General of the President of Republika Srpska, Jelena Pajić Baštinac, told SRNA that the public hearings on the Draft Constitution of Republika Srpska, which will begin on Monday in East Sarajevo, represent a key step in the process of fighting to secure a sovereign and stable Dayton Republika Srpska.

Pajić Baštinac emphasized that the new constitution, which is based on the Dayton Peace Accords, is not only a legal, but also a political declaration that concerns every citizen and every social segment of Republika Srpska.

In this sense, she stated, it is important that public discussions are broad, inclusive and open to all social groups, because it is an act on which the organization of our country rests.

"At this stage, the involvement of the professional public, political factors, but also the wider social community is of essential importance. Everyone is obliged for patriotic reasons to get involved in this process, because it is not only about the legal regulation of Republika Srpska, but also about the creation of an act for political balance and equality within the Dayton BiH", Pajić Baštinac stressed.

She emphasized that it is clear that the new constitution will cause controversy, but this is inevitable when it comes to a topic that has enormous legal and political weight.

"The Constitution of Republika Srpska must return Srpska to the Dayton principles and neutralize all obstacles to building a system of stability and equality of the constituent peoples and entities," stated for SRNA Pajić Baštinac, on behalf of the proposer of the new constitution, the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik.

She assessed that public discussions throughout the Republic of Srpska should be serious and constructive forums, in which well-argued positions and advanced ideas will be presented that will contribute to a quality discussion on the new constitution.

Pajić Baštinac reminded that this is not only a legal issue, but a question of political responsibility, protection of the interests and future of every citizen of Republika Srpska.

Public hearings on the Draft Constitution of Republika Srpska will be held on Monday, March 31, in East Sarajevo, on April 1 in Trebinje, on April 3 in Prijedor and on April 4 in Gradiška.

The public hearings will be coordinated by Vitomir Popović, the president of the Working Group that will assist the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska in the preparation and drafting of the new constitution of Republika Srpska.

The National Assembly of Republika Srpska at its 20th special session, held on March 13, adopted the Decision on establishing the Draft Constitution of Republika Srpska. With the conclusion of the National Assembly, which was adopted at the same session, the Draft Constitution of Republika Srpska is put on public debate, which will be conducted within 30 days.