SRPSKA'S GREATEST POTENTIAL IS ITS PEOPLE

"I was focused on the citizens, not political parties. I am the prime minister of all citizens, and the whole of Republika Srpska is my constituency. That is how I intend to continue. The president of the Republic must be the president of all citizens. My address is the whole of Republika Srpska," Minić said.

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 20 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić said the current government had accomplished a great deal during its term, highlighting amendments to the Law on the Rights of Veterans, Disabled War Veterans and Families of Fallen Soldiers which systematically expanded and improved their rights.

"I would also single out the Law on Temporary Child Support. In this way, we protected the responsible parent from the one who fails to fulfill their obligations. It is also important to me that, through various measures, we have supported families as a whole. We increased pensions, salaries and scholarships, provided free textbooks and one-off assistance to pupils and students, increased maternity benefits and expanded support through the Investment-Development Bank for the purchase of a first home. In short, we directed measures toward all generations of citizens, and I believe everyone can feel their effects," Minić said in a written interview with the Republika Srpska Media System - SRNA.

He acknowledged that several matters remained unfinished, but stressed that his mandate was still ongoing and the government continued to work.

Minić said the key priorities were to continue strengthening the economy, creating conditions for new investment and introducing measures that contribute to a higher standard of living, describing this as a continuous task that requires long-term commitment.

SUPPORT SYSTEM FROM CHILDBIRTH AND EDUCATION TO HOUSING AND RETIREMENT

Asked which government measure supporting citizens he considered the most important, Minić said he could not single out just one because the government had created a network of measures, each designed to address a specific need or stage of life.

"For a pensioner, it matters to have the opportunity to receive spa treatment. For parents, it matters to know they will have an easier time providing school supplies for their children. A scholarship matters to a student, while benefits matter to a young married couple buying their first home. When a first baby is born, we are there with support as well. During disruptions on the petroleum products market, we also provided direct support to citizens and businesses by reducing fuel prices by BAM 0.10 per liter.

That is why I would not single out one measure as more important than the others. Each is important to the person it is intended for. Our policy was to create a support system covering different needs of citizens - from the birth of a child, through education and resolving housing issues, all the way to support in retirement. When all these measures are viewed together, their true importance becomes clear," Minić stressed.

MINIĆ: AMOUNT OF HOSTILITY TOWARD REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AND SERBS FROM FBiH IS SAD

Asked about political reactions, insults and threats from the Federation of BiH following the death and funeral of General Ratko Mladić, Minić said he did not comment on the Federation or the actions of its politicians, adding that their actions spoke for themselves.

"Believe me, as an Orthodox Christian, I find the amount of hatred toward Republika Srpska and Serbs deeply sad. I believe it must be difficult to live in such a dispirited environment. Frankly, they do not interest me. I regret that ordinary people are being taught and encouraged to hate, simply so that no one talks about everything they lack, everything that does not function, or what they have too much of, such as cantons and an oversized administration paid for by citizens," Prime Minister said in a statement to SRNA.

OUR GOAL IS MORE INVESTMENT, MORE JOBS AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR PEOPLE

Asked how he would primarily like citizens to see him, given that he entered the election campaign both as prime minister and as the SNSD candidate for president of Republika Srpska, Minić said he would like them first and foremost to see him as a good man, neighbor, fellow veteran, father, brother, son and friend.

If he receives the confidence of voters, Minić said his first priority as president would be to continue working on the political and institutional stability of Republika Srpska and protecting its interests.

His second focus, he added, would be people, their living standards and prospects, while the third would be economic integration and creating new opportunities for Republika Srpska through cooperation with Serbia and other partners.

"Our goal must be to have more investment, more jobs and more opportunities for our people," Minić pointed out.

MOST IMPORTANT THAT EVERY CITIZEN CAN EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO VOTE WITHOUT DELAYS OR COMPLICATIONS

Speaking about the upcoming general elections in BiH and the introduction of new election technologies, Minić said he had recently discussed the issue with representatives of the OSCE.

"I told them that my main concern is the amount of time voters will need at polling stations. I also said that we are not opposed to changes, but they did not have to be introduced on the eve of the elections. There was enough time to implement them properly.

I sincerely hope that certain shortcomings identified during the test elections will be corrected. In the end, the most important thing is that every citizen can exercise their right to vote without unnecessary delays or complications. Republika Srpska is ready for the elections. We want them to proceed peacefully and with dignity, and for the freely expressed will of voters to be fully respected," Minić said.

MY ADDRESS IS THE WHOLE OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

Asked how much room there would be for political dialogue in Republika Srpska after the elections and whether a broader consensus between the government and opposition could be reached on key issues, Minić said dialogue within the winning coalition was not in question.

"As for the opposition, that primarily depends on their willingness to talk and seek joint solutions to important issues. You saw that, as prime minister, I had no problem visiting municipalities and cities headed by mayors from other political parties.

I was interested in citizens, not parties. I am the prime minister of all citizens, and my office is the whole of Republika Srpska. That is how I will continue to behave. The president of the Republic must be the president of all citizens. My address is the whole of Republika Srpska," Minić said.

RELATIONS WITH SERBIA AT AN EXCEPTIONAL LEVEL

Asked what he would like to see done as a future president to further strengthen relations and projects with Serbia, Minić said ties between Republika Srpska and Serbia were at an exceptional level.

"We celebrate together, commemorate together, rejoice and mourn together. Best of all, we do not meet only when the calendar requires it, this is part of our everyday life. I see Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut at least once a month, and communication is even more frequent, as is the case between our ministries.

This is not only political communication. We discuss concrete projects and their implementation. This year alone, we have held several working meetings on infrastructure, transport links, the economy, health care, education and other areas. I believe that is the true measure of our relations - we do not meet only when the calendar requires it, but work together and produce concrete results. These relations should be further strengthened through projects that benefit our citizens," Minić noted.

MINIĆ: CVIJANOVIĆ AND DODIK HAVE SHOWN TOP-LEVEL DIPLOMACY - WE MUST CONTINUE ON THAT PATH

Speaking about Republika Srpska's foreign-policy position in the coming years, Minić praised and reminded of the diplomatic achievements of Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović and President Milorad Dodik.

"The way they brought Republika Srpska back to the table as an equal partner, rather than leaving it on the table as a topic for discussion, is top-level diplomacy. The fact that they are present in Washington, Moscow, Israel and Hungary is something not everyone can achieve. We must continue on that path," Minić said.

Regarding future cooperation between Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, Minić said it depended on politicians in the Federation.

"We have always been ready to talk and work in the interests of citizens. Unfortunately, they constantly look to others and seek someone else's help and advice instead of sitting down together and resolving the issues that matter to people living in Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH," Minić pointed out.

MINIĆ ON HIS ADVANTAGES IN THE ELECTION: I AM ONE OF THESE PEOPLE - A FELLOW VETERAN, HUSBAND, SON, FATHER, BROTHER AND FRIEND

Asked what he considered his greatest advantage and biggest challenge in the election race, Minić said his advantage was simply who he was - a man of the people, a fellow veteran, husband, son, father, brother and friend.

"These are things you cannot learn for an election campaign and cannot pretend to be. That is who I am, before and after the elections. Of course, another advantage is the strongest party standing behind me, its organization, its people and the strength we have on the ground. The challenge is the entire election process," Minić argued.

ONLY UNITY SAVES THE SERBS - UNITY AND TOGETHERNESS

At the end of the interview, Minić was asked to answer five questions briefly:

1. The biggest problem facing Republika Srpska today:
"Only unity saves the Serbs - that is the solution, unity and togetherness."

2. Republika Srpska's greatest potential:
"People."

3. One thing he would change tomorrow if he could:
"I would inject new value into Republika Srpska's economy - money that citizens would immediately feel through higher incomes and a better standard of living."

4. Message to young people in Republika Srpska:
"Enjoy life in your homeland."

5. What he expects 24 hours after the election:
"To rest for a few hours, and then continue at full speed!"