U.S. NOW HAS DIFFERENT APPROACH TO BALKANS, TIME FOR OHR TO LEAVE

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 18 /SRNA/ – Former US Ambassador William Montgomery stated that the United States now has a president whose approach to the Western Balkans is different, and that he is certain the view of Republika Srpska will also change, which is indicated by the lifting of sanctions.

Montgomery told reporters in Banja Luka that the US and the new American administration are already working on changing their approach to the Western Balkans.

"It is a good sign that the sanctions have been lifted, and if anyone is going to work on changing this relationship, it is Donald Trump's administration," Montgomery said ahead of a discussion with students of the Faculty of Philosophy about his book "Non/Diplomatic Lives," translated into Serbian.

Montgomery emphasized that the existence of the OHR is one of the most burning issues he personally has a problem with, because 30 years after the war there is still a high representative, and BiH does not have its own country in its own hands.

"It's as if the country is second-class. It is time for these things to change," Montgomery said.

Speaking about the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, he said it should be viewed in the context of an armistice agreement that gave all sides the opportunity to advocate for their rights and use the transitional period to adopt joint decisions and resolutions.

"The Dayton Peace Agreement is treated as some strictly fixed wording, while citizens need changes and adjustments," Montgomery said.

Commenting on his book "Non/Diplomatic Lives," he noted that there are different kinds of diplomats, such as those who carry out official duties such as attending receptions, promotions, and official visits, but that his view goes beyond that, stressing the importance of direct contact with people, talking to them, and understanding the circumstances.