STEVANDIĆ: SCHMIDT'S ACTIVITIES ILLEGITIMATE GROSSLY VIOLATING LEGAL ORDER

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 14 /SRNA/ - Christian Schmidt's activities are illegitimate grossly violating the legal order in BiH, stressed Republika Srpska National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić in a letter he delivered to Hungarian Parliament Speaker László Kövér in Budapest today.

"Christian Schmidt, although not appointed by the UN Security Council, is assuming powers that do not belong to him and is personally amending laws, bypassing parliamentary procedure. This has directly contributed to the crisis in BiH," warned Stevandić.

He stressed that Republika Srpska remains committed to dialogue and political agreement, which will keep internationally pointing out the causes of the crisis that stem from Schmidt's unconstitutional activities.

"Schmidt abused the position of High Representative for BiH, contrary not only to the decisions of the UN Security Council that rejected his appointment, but also to European practice, judicial standards and democratic principles," Stevandić stated.

He stressed that Republika Srpska does not threaten anyone, but advocates for the equality of all peoples and entities, as required by the Dayton Peace Agreement, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska announced.

"It is paradoxical and hypocritical that Republika Srpska officials are suspected and persecuted for defending the principle of equality. The špeaker of the Parliament is suspected of convening and chairing the sessions of the Advisory Board and the Assembly - which is his constitutional duty. Such accusations are unthinkable in any serious state, especially since the Parliament speaker’s request for the protection through immunity, clearly defined by the Constitution, has never been answered to," Stevandić stated.

He said that he would keep presenting a complete image of the situation in BiH to the international public through letters, notifications and personal contacts, and that Republika Srpska insists on respecting peace, equality and the rights of all constituent peoples.

"We will not accept discrimination and political persecution. We will continue to inform international partners and institutions, because only through truth and dialogue can we preserve peace and stability in BiH," Stevandić emphasized.

He emphasized that by meeting with Kover in Budapest, he continued the diplomatic fight for the truth about Republika Srpska.

"After the talks in Belgrade and briefing the Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, about the situation in BiH, we began the diplomatic fight for the truth about Republika Srpska, informing the parliament speakers in the EU and other relevant countries about the situation we are in," Stevandić stated.