The President of the National Assembly of Republic of Srpska, Dr. Nenad Stevandic received today in Banja Luka the newly appointed Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, on an introductory visit. They discussed the activities and priorities of the OSCE Mission in BiH, as well as the current political situation in Republic of Srpska and at the state level.
During the meeting, it was emphasized that maintaining open and impartial communication with all parties in BiH is essential, as taking unilateral positions contributes to escalation, while a balanced and responsible approach helps preserve stability and calm political tensions in the country.
President Stevandic informed Ambassador Holtzapple of the positions of Republic of Srpska’s institutions, stressing that constitutional mechanisms in BiH are often misused to the detriment of Republic of Srpska. He stated that the institutions of Republic of Srpska will continue to consistently advocate for the respect and preservation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and its fundamental principles, according to which decisions in BiH are made through consensus among the three constituent peoples and two entities.
Also present at the meeting were Kristof Fortier-Guy, the new Head of the OSCE Field Office in Banja Luka, and Milenko Buzadzija, Parliamentary Support Officer at the OSCE Office in Banja Luka.
