Government to annul decree on "auxiliary police" - minister

Government to annul decree on "auxiliary police" - minister

Speaking about the criticism coming from Serbia's opposition parties, who said this type of police unit would "mask the government's ineptitude, a way to undermine institutions, and form a party police," the minister and ruling SNS party official stressed that those now in the opposition were the ones who passed the decree when they were in power.

"These are absolute fabrications, they brought the decree and are now blaming us," said Stefanovic.

He also commented on Monday's RS Day celebrations in the Serb entity in Bosnia, and said he and several other representatives of the Serbian government would attend.

"We are going to Banja Luka, and my congratulations on the holiday to the people of the Serb Republic (RS). We respect Bosnia-Herzegovina, but also have a right to love the RS," said the minister.

He added that he regretted PM Aleksnadar Vucic was unable to attend due to "important meetings in India."

Stefanovic believes that the Serbian government officials' participation will not have any influence on the Belgrade-Sarajevo relations, and adds that Serbia is doing "everything to inspire stability in the region."

As for the upcoming presidential elections and the SNS candidate, Stefanovic said he would present his opinion "in the party's forums, not in the media."