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BANJA LUKA, March 27 (FENA) - Ambassador of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eric Nelson said in Banja Luka today that he is looking forward to the talks with Milorad Dodik as the BiH Presidency Chairman because, as he said, the US respects his role as a member of the Presidency of BiH under the BiH Constitution.
Nelson commented on the question whether he would talk to Milorad Dodik as the president of the SNSD in the coming months, given Dodik’s positions and statements on the previous US administration and its representatives in BiH.
Asked to comment on Dodik's statement that he hoped for abolishment of the sanctions in his case, following the departure of the former US Ambassador to BiH, Nelson said that the decision on the sanctions has been made in Washington, "based on specific actions and threats that came from Dodik."
“These things are decided in Washington. We hope that all the activities of the BiH Presidency Chairman will be in the direction of promoting security and stability of BiH," he added.
He stated that in conversation with citizens, he got the impression that there is agreement on the way in which the country could move forward, and that economic prosperity and stability are important for the whole country.
Nelson asserts that the opposition to membership in the NATO should not hinder the partnership with that military alliance.”
We spoke a lot about partnership with the NATO. Also, I heard opinions of those who disagree with BiH’s membership in the NATO. I listened to them and offered my explanation and said that we are now discussing partnership with the NATO, and as far as NATO membership is concerned, that is something that will be discussed in the coming years and it's still far away. I stressed that the discussions and disagreements about NATO membership should not be an obstacle to a successful partnership with that military alliance,” said the US Ambassador in a statement to the media.
He pointed out that he cannot give his opinions on how the BiH authorities should solve the issue of sending the Annual National Program to NATO, because it is up to them to do it.
"What I constantly hear in conversation with people is that there is broad consensus on the partnership, that it is very useful, and that the Annual National Program is a technical step that should not be politicized," Nelson added.
The United States respects, as part of democratic progress, he added, the positions of political parties on ways to form coalitions in BiH.
Ambassador Nelson spoke with RS officials yesterday and today in Banja Luka, also with representatives of political parties, civil society, as well as business community and youth, with the goal, as he stated, to point out to the citizens in RS that the US is their partner and is committed to the success of BiH, its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Nelson also visited the premises of the American Corner in Banja Luka, which will open its doors in a few weeks, and will also visit the elementary school in Doboj whose reconstruction, after the floods, was funded by the United States.
(FENA) S. R.
