Nikšić: BiH will exist, and we will be in it, SDP will not budge an inch from its principles

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Social Democratic Party of BiH hosted a New Year's gathering tonight at the Hills Hotel. Party president Nermin Nikšić was joined by vice presidents and the party's leadership, and in his address, Nikšić stated that they want to send a message that BiH and its citizens will live on.

"We did not gather today just to celebrate the New Year; that celebration is less important. Today, we are sending a message that both we and BiH will live on. Our ideals, our homeland, and our past are our pledge for the future of our children, for whom we wish to live in peace, in a community where our similarities and closeness are respected, not divisions. We will not budge an inch from our principles. Those who waver, usually fall. We are not like them, so let no one try to break us again. Let those who express concern around, asking if the SDP will yield and betray, worry about themselves. Let them not worry about us, neither falsely nor truly. Let them not betray, and everything will be alright.

We face the New Year filled with a sense of uncertainty, doubt, and even fear, fear for our health, fear for our future and the future of our children. Despite this, we are not celebrating in defiance of anyone, but for the good of all of us, and we celebrate knowing that our gathering, our assembly, and our unity are a defeat for those who try to prevent us from doing anything to live normal lives worthy of human beings. Today, we are here to say that our defiance, our vitality, and our readiness to live for Bosnia and Herzegovina are stronger than their perverse desire and passion to destroy and divide our country. Bosnia and Herzegovina, its integrity and sovereignty, is under attack today by an undisguised secessionist blow from the ruling majority in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.

But today, Bosnia and Herzegovina is also under attack by the shameless blow of the Federal Government and the Government of Republika Srpska against the economy, employers, and workers, with an abnormal increase in the price of electricity. Unfortunately, expecting positive news from the current authorities truly seems like waiting for Godot.

And we will not wait for Godot from the West again, nor do we have to. He is welcome, but we will not depend on him. We want our friends from the West to be here with us and by our side, to help and fulfill their part of the promise they made to the then suffering and battered Bosnia and Herzegovina, that they would not allow a repeat of such a difficult fate.

No matter how they behave, Bosnia and Herzegovina will exist, and we will be in it. It is time for our disenfranchised citizens, tired of war games, but also tired of the reckless plunder of their future, their rights, and their dignity by those who swear by the supposed defense of their own against others, to clearly say enough is enough. Enough of good people being represented by those who advocate for dividing people into reservations, while at the same time saying nothing about the mass exodus and departure from our country, including Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks alike.

Enough of them viewing us as an experiment, those who every day show how they are willing to fight for their privileges to the last member of their nation. In these four, seven, or 25 years, the ruling nationalists, separatists, patriots, whatever they call themselves, have not managed to secede even a piece of Bosnia and Herzegovina's land, nor will they. But they have managed to detach tens, hundreds of thousands of its citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The fight for Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a fight against anyone. It is a fight for all of us, from Una to Drina, from Sava to the sea.

After family, no one is closer to us than our neighbors. Neighbors who rely on each other, not against each other. Bosnia and Herzegovina belongs to all of us together and equally to all, no matter what our names are. The SDP, with its partners, will be the voice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the voice of reason, compromise, and mutual support and assistance. The lifespan of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not limited by mandate periods in parliaments or the personal will and whim of quasi-leaders. Our Bosnia and Herzegovina has always been a country for all who desire it, and we will always gladly share it with everyone. Therefore, we must persevere in building the destroyed bridges of mutual trust.

Together we can do anything, and divided amongst ourselves, we are merely easy prey for those who want to conquer, divide, and rob us. Bosnia and Herzegovina will not falter, nor will the coming year bring any comfort to the malicious. We will continue to celebrate, to rejoice, but also to remind ourselves of the value of life, the importance of peace, and the unquestionable survival of the spirit and being of our country, even in the most difficult moments.

Therefore, it is very important that our messages of peace, stability, brotherhood, unity, solidarity, and trust reach as many citizens as possible...

we will not compete on who is a greater nationalist... but rather as our song says...

I don't want to be afraid, don't call me ours and yours, I want to work, live, and build...

I don't want to be afraid, don't call me mine and yours, I need air, bread, joy...

we will compete on who is a better neighbor, worker, entrepreneur, who will do more for every citizen of our country, who is a better expert, who is a better person...

So look at me as a human being and speak up for me...

this country will forever be one home for all of us...

Long live such a Bosnia and Herzegovina... one home for all of us... I wish us a happy and successful New Year... May you live long and be healthy," said Nikšić.