SRPSKA HAS NO ALTERNATIVE

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 30 /SRNA/ – President Milorad Dodik says he sees no point in BiH's existence without Republika Srpska, nor in European integration without Srpska being visible.

Dodik emphasizes that Republika Srpska is the only thing with no alternative for the Serb people; despite its small economic size on a global scale, its political significance is far greater.

"It has no alternative either in BiH or within European integration. Its only alternative is itself, in the strength it possesses, which we have built up and brought to a level where we are respected in places such as those represented by the powers of the United States, the Russian Federation, Israel and China today," Dodik said at a press conference after returning from Russia.

Dodik stresses there is no freedom for the Serb people without a state.

"We are a state-forming people, which is the status we want to preserve at the BiH level, if we return to the original Dayton Peace Agreement, and certainly at the level of Republika Srpska. We have demonstrated that," Dodik said.

He stated that during his stay in Moscow, he informed his friends in Russia about the situation in Republika Srpska.

"On the first day of the special military operation, we supported Russia's efforts as we knew that the West had previously deceived Russia on three occasions through assurances that it would not further expand NATO forces," Dodik said.

Dodik said that NATO and the EU have so far demonstrated that they are pursuing "anti-Republika Srpska processes," noting that if they want to discuss European integration, they would have to change their policies toward Srpska.

"In any case, we will reject NATO," Dodik stressed.

He said that after the general elections, he would pursue a policy focused on cooperation with friendly countries.

"There is no need for us to talk to Brussels until we agree on the starting points regarding how we move forward. We are interested in nothing except Republika Srpska – neither BiH nor European integration," Dodik said.

Dodik noted that Republika Srpska has around one million inhabitants and an economy worth approximately BAM 20 billion.