Serb Presidency member wants no part in Serb quarrels

Serb Presidency member wants no part in Serb quarrels

"President Nikolic has the right to think what he wants and to support whom he wants. I know one thing, the Serb Republic (RS) is more valuable than Dodik or anyone else. I do not want to participate in Serb political quarrels and I do not want to comment on the views of President Nikolic," Ivanic told the N1 broadcaster on Tuesday.

Earlier this week, Ivanic criticized Nikolic for taking sides and interfering in the internal affairs of Bosnia-Herzegovina - something that the Serbian president on Tuesday denied doing. He then added that Ivanic is not representing his entity at the state level of Bosnia, and is not "doing enough" for the RS.

Reacting to this, Ivanic said he would "try to maintain some kind of Serb unity and not contribute to unnecessary and useless arguments" - but would also "continue to act as the opposition."

Ivanic, who on Tuesday organized a reception in the Presidency of Bosnia- Herzegovina ahead of Orthodox Christmas said it was a holiday of peace, love, and a family feast - "and it is logical that the messages should be of that kind."

"I agree with Dodik on some key issues such as the decision of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the attempts regarding Srebrenica, and some other things. But I will never agree with the economic collapse that he is leading the RS into. I'm never going to agree with the corruption and crime which has reached unprecedented levels in the RS, with the waste of public money," said Ivanic.

This official on Tuesday had a telephone conversation with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. According to him, they spoke about "overall relations between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia."

"He asked for some suggestions and I presented some of my views. What is important is that we discussed continued economic cooperation, the need to make special efforts in the defense industry and in tourism, as each of these countries in itself is not attractive enough, but together we can be. We concluded that a prerequisite for a stable Bosnia-Herzegovina are good relations between Serbia and the RS. If these relations are not good, there will certainly be no stable Bosnia-Herzegovina," said Ivanic.

Speaking in Belgrade, Vucic said the telephone conversation was "part of regular communication" and added that "Serbia does not interfere in the internal political affairs of Bosnia and the RS and finds regional stability to be the most important."

Ivanic also said on Tuesday there should be "a balance" in Bosnia-Herzegovina between the desire to preserve own identity and the need to live together. "That balance must be found. I am convinced that if there is willingness, a desire for compromise and more mutual trust, such balance can be found, " said Ivanic.