Nelson discusses NATO with RS officials

BANJA LUKA, (Patria) - US Ambassador Eric Nelson concluded his two-day visit to Banja Luka. He spoke with the President and Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Željka Cvijanović and Radovan Višković, opposition leaders, representatives of civil society, and the business community. He stated that the United States advocates for the success of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the building of a strong economy, and a healthy democracy.

In addition to economic prosperity and strengthening democracy, the partnership with NATO was also discussed. Nelson told N1 that disagreements on membership stand in the way of successful partnership with NATO.

With a clear emphasis on separating the concepts of membership and partnership, Nelson said that the MAP is a technical step that should not be politicized.

However, in press releases following meetings with the Ambassador, from the offices of the President of Republika Srpska Željka Cvijanović and Prime Minister Radovan Višković, there was not a word about NATO or the MAP.

Instead, the urgent need to form a new Council of Ministers and the Government of the Federation of BiH was clearly emphasized, as well as the continuation of economic reforms and the European path.

The SDS highlighted the necessity of working on a new election law, because, as they say, the will of the people cannot be expressed by vote counters, but exclusively by voters.

The PDP also pointed out the same problem, as well as dissatisfaction with the work of the judiciary, and the necessity of returning public media, as they say, to the framework of professional and impartial reporting. There was no official meeting with SNSD in their party premises, but the US Ambassador had previously met with Milorad Dodik at the BiH Presidency.

Nelson announced the upcoming opening of a new American Corner in Banja Luka, and he also visited an elementary school in Doboj whose renovation after the floods was supported by the US.