National Assembly of Republika Srpska considers that a neutral position on the issue of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and opposition to imposing sanctions on the Russian Federation is in the interest of Republika Srpska within the current international, political and security position of Srpska, it is said in the conclusions passed by the parliament last night.

The conclusions were adopted at a special session at the suggestion of the clubs of deputies from the SNSD, the Socialist Party, Demos, the United Srpska, the NPS and the NDP parliamentary group. The majority of opposition MPs did not attend the vote on the conclusions.

The National Assembly also passed a resolution adopting information on the international, political and security situation – the place and role of Republika Srpska, and stressed that Srpska remained committed to preserving peace in BiH and the region through cooperation on regional integration and security initiatives, as well as support of BiH inclusion in the Open Balkans initiative.

As it is stated, Republika Srpska is committed to compliance with, adhering to and implementing the Dayton Accords, as well as to the integration of BiH and Republika Srpska into the EU while respecting the principle of mutual respect, and that these two processes are compatible and complementary.

The National Assembly of Srpska states that the decision-making on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is within the competence of the Presidency of BiH and that the Presidency of BiH has not made a decision on imposing sanctions on the Russian Federation.

“BiH’s foreign policy is the responsibility of the BiH Presidency, and only decisions made by consensus and constitutionally in the Presidency can be considered the official position of BiH on foreign policy issues, and accordingly condemns unilateral actions and actions of representatives of BiH institutions beyond official positions,” it is noted in the conclusions.

The National Assembly asks the representatives of Srpska in the joint institutions of BiH to vote against the introduction of sanctions against the Russian Federation and to advocate the neutral position of BiH and Republika Srpska in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in accordance with the protection of the interests of Srpska.

The conclusions also state that the National Assembly of Srpska believes that the “Altea” mission is necessary in order to preserve peace and stability and that it should remain in BiH in accordance with the mandate given by the UN Security Council in the resolution.

The Parliament of Srpska, it is added in the conclusions, instructs the Government to take all measures in order to provide all citizens of Srpska with a sufficient amount of food, energy and electricity, and to reduce the inflationary shock on the living standard of citizens.

The National Assembly of Srpska states that the implementation of the conclusions regarding the Information on the transfer of competencies from Srpska to the level of BiH from December 10, 2021 is postponed for six months in order to avoid further complicating the foreign policy position of Srpska in complex geopolitical circumstances.