May 31
President of the Republic ignored unsupported statements of certain oppositional parties

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović decidedly ignores all arbitrary, unsupported and blanket statements of certain parties from the Republic of Srpska on allegedly authority decrease of the Institution of the President of the Republic of Srpska.

The Institution of the Republic of Srpska President functions independently in its full constitutional capacity. The President of the Republic expresses its unity and it successfully cooperates with the bodies and institutions of the Republic, by stepping up activities and contacts with the representatives of domestic and international organizations and by newly founded Office for application and reception of the Republic of Srpska citizens.

Unfortunately, as a mutual interest of all of us, it bothers certain oppositional parties instead to be viewed as something good and objectively valued. Those parties do not comprehend their own role and therefore they disdain the Institution of the President of the Republic, using it for pre-election campaign for local elections.

Obviously, insinuations related to the President of the Republic show inability of the authorities of oppositional parties to offer quality programmes, plans and vision of economic and social development of the Republic to the citizens and for that reason they resort to untrue and improper statements related to the Institution of the Republic of Srpska President that is the expression of their political disability.

Evaluation of the Republic of Srpska President on economic and social state in the Republic and the results of the Government of the Republic of Srpska are based on unanswerable indicators that unambiguously show the increase of the budget, increase of industrial production and employment, increase of investments in infrastructure, decrease of public consumption and at the same time by increase of the salaries of educational and health workers, those employed in the Ministry of Interior Affairs and significant segregation for pensions, disability pensions and housing of families of fallen soldiers and war invalids.

At the same time, the President Kuzmanović knows and understands the situation in the Republic of Srpska and the unfavourable trend of the increase of prices of food and energy-generating products in the world that also reflects to the standard of the citizens of the Republic of Srpska. The President also emphasizes that the Government of the Republic of Srpska does everything within its competence to alleviate the consequences of such state, especially when socially endangered categories of population are concerned.

May 30
President Kuzmanović attended a film projection "Traveller through Universe and Centuries"

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović attended the promotion of the book "Disruption of cultivated fields - Essay on Milanković" and documentary educational film "Traveller through Universe and Centuries", both held in Banski dvor, on May 28, on the occasion of academician Milutin Milanković birthday.

In his speech during the ceremony, the President Kuzmanović emphasized that academician Milutin Milanković created pieces that will last forever and added that 1909 was a turning point in his life.

Dilemma – Wienna`s scientific career or Belgrade, has determined Milanković to leave a comfortable life and go back to the lap of his nation, to live by duty, to work and to pass away being next to his people who offer everything to him and to do all of that, and at the same time being led by deep patriotism, it was emphasized by the President Kuzmanović.

May 29
President of the Republic met the delegation of Kosovo and Metohija Serbs

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović met the delegation of public workers and artists from Kosovo and Metohija that was led by head of Kosovska Mitrovica County Momir Kasalović and the president of the Association of writers from Kosovo and Metohija Milan Mihajlović.

The delegation members briefed the President of the Republic with political, economic and safety situation as well as with the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. During the meeting, possibilities of different aspects of cooperation have been discussed, including the cooperation of the Universities of Banja Luka and Kosovska Mitrovica and the help that the Republic of Srpska could offer to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

The President Kuzmanović emphasized that the Republic of Srpska is ready to help Serbia in its intentions to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to provide conditions for existence of Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija.

The President of the Republic emphasized that self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo has been supported by far less number of states than Albanian separatists announced and that it shows that majority of states that are members of the United Nations realized that in this case that act represents flagrant violation of the international law.

Representatives of literary cooperative "Vaso Pelagić" and Domestic Association "Zmijanje" attended and organized this visit of the delegation of Kosovo and Metohija to the Republic of Srpska.

May 28
President of the Republic met the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović met the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Bosnia and Herzegovina that was led by the Chief of the delegation Mr. Henry Fournier.

Mr. Fournier briefed the President of the Republic of Srpska with the current activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross on the field of solving the issues of inexplicable fates of 12 000 people who went missing during the last war. He also discussed the visits to the prisoners in Correction houses in Bosnia and Herzegovina who are sentenced for war crimes committed on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The President Kuzmanović emphasized that he supports the work and the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross in solving those issues, and he highlighted that the Missing Persons Institute in Bosnia and Herzegovina in last period did not show the expected results.

In the work of this institution and in the finding of missing persons, the members of all three constitutive peoples have not been equally deputized and finding of missing Bosniaks has been emphasized. This caused disapproval and reaction of the Association of the families of the missing persons in the Republic of Srpska that work on this issue should be transferred on competence of entity commissions.

The Government of the Republic of Srpska accepted the idea to create the Coordination Team that will help the Missing Persons Institute in Bosnia and Herzegovina, when solving of some concrete issues and tasks are concerned, but that it will insist the activities of the Institute to be based on the principles of equality as the only way of providing mutual understanding and reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Chief of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation Henry Fournier emphasized the importance of the work and existence of the Missing Persons Institute in Bosnia and Herzegovina and he added that the issue of finding of the missing persons should be approached as human issue that has to be depoliticized.

May 27
Third thematic Sitting of the Government of the Republic of Srpska was held

Third thematic Sitting of the Government of the Republic of Srpska was held in the Cabinet of the Republic of Srpska President in Banja Luka. It was organized on the basis of the agreement between the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister to the Republic of Srpska. On the third thematic Sitting, the Prime Minister and the Ministers in the Government of the Republic of Srpska presented the achieved results, activities and plans for the future period.

After the presentation of information, the President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović said that he is very pleased by the achieved results of the Government of the Republic of Srpska in the field of politics, economic and social field as well as with social activities.

The President therefore emphasized that today`s Sitting has been an example of homogenous and successful activities of the Republic of Srpska`s institutions and he also stated that all important issues related to the reforms have been terminated which is of the great importance to the Republic of Srpska`s Constitution and the Republic of Srpska as well. The President also added that the Republic of Srpska readily welcomes demands for possible new reforms.

The President Kuzmanović pointed out that in economic and social sphere, the Republic of Srpska experiences `real renaissance` as it becomes a great working and constructing site, it attracts foreign investments, develops economic resources, opens great public works and it reduces unemployment.

Therefore, the President added that living standard of the fighters, invalids, teachers, doctors and members of the Ministry of interior affairs of the Republic of Srpska have been improved.

The Republic of Srpska President valuated that in the social activities as education, health and science many improvements have been made especially in respects of great number of constructed buildings.

The Prime Minister to the Government of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik said that the Republic of Srpska has shown the increase in all segments of economic politics comparing to the period since 2005 and he added that salaries in the police and education have been increased for 100 % and that pension increasement is expected to come to that stage. In the Republic of Srpska, favourable conditions for business have been created and that is shown by the fact that the Republic of Srpska has 250 companies from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in its register and that 80% of the last year investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina belong to the Republic of Srpska.

The Prime Minister Dodik said that in political aspect the Republic of Srpska is aware of its constitutional position and that it will stick with it in all reform processes.

On today`s Sitting, the Government reached the Decision on naming the object of the Seat of the Republic of Srpska President "THE PALACE OF THE REPUBLIC".

May 26
President of the Republic met the Head of Bureau to Belgian Embassy

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović met the Head of Bureau to Belgian Embassy in Sarajevo Stijn Mols.

The President Kuzmanović said that the Republic of Srpska leads a responsible politics and that it is sincerely determined towards the European future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but that it cannot accept demands of unnecessary centralization that are placed under the cloak of reforms essential for further improvement towards the European Union membership.

The President Kuzmanović emphasized that all conditions for singning the Agreement on Stabilization and Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the European Union have been fulfilled and he therefore said that domestic institutions and authority representatives have showed their political maturity. The President emphasized that it is now time for them to undertake full responsiblity for the fate of the state.

According to this, Office of the High Representative must be transformed into the Office of the Special Representative of the European Union as soon as possible, and it will therefore help domestic institutions in the process of the Euro-Atlantic Integrations on equal and partnership basis.

The President of the Republic expressed his contentment by the commencing of negotiations on abolishing visa regime for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzergovina and he also expressed expectations that this process will be finished as soon as possible.

During the meeting, possibilities of cooperation improvement on economic level have been discussed, because there is an interest of Belgian economists to invest in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia nad Herzegovina.

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović met representatives of Serbian movement of non-governmental associations-SPONA that briefed him with the plans and activities of SPONA, material and social position of population that they represent and with their status issues as well.

The President of the Republic supported and he praised the activities of the representatives of SPONA to improve the position of population they represent, for example demobilized warriors, families of fallen and missed soldiers, war invalids and camp prisoners.

It was jointly stated that the Government of the Republic of Srpska showed high degree of understanding for issues of these categories of population and according to these possibilities it made everything for systematic improvement of their material and social position.

During the meeting, work of the Institute for missing persons of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been discussed as it did not work the way it should and it did not fulfill expectations, and firstly the expectations of families of missing soldiers and civilians from the Republic of Srpska.

The initiative that Secretariat of the Government of the Republic of Srpska for investigation of war crimes becomes the Republic Centre for investigation of war crimes has been supported.

From authorized judicial and prosecutor bodies, more effective investigation and processing of those responsible for war crimes have been requested.

It was jointly requested that complete truth on suffering of Serbs in Sarajevo has been requested, and those responsible for their suffering must be prosecuted.

According to this, the construction of Memorial Church on Zlatište does not represent provocation, as some people try to present, but it has to be a permanent recall on sufferings of Serbs in Sarajevo.

The President Kuzmanović supported the members of Alliance of camp prisoners of the Republic of Srpska in their intention to prosecute the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in favour of realization of rights for compensation for damage that they underwent in the period of captivity in the camps on the teritorry of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

May 21
President Kuzmanović: Unproven attacks ruin the reputation of the Institution of the President of the Republic

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović supports the activities of authorized bodies and institutions that act according to the Report of the Supreme Office for the Republic of Srpska Public Sector Auditing on managing of the President of the Republic of Srpska Service for 2007 and he supports the issue that facts connected with the reconstruction and adaptation of the new seat of the Republic of Srpska President should be confirmed. With full attention, responsibility and objectivity we observed the found reports from the Supreme Office for the Republic of Srpska Sector Auditing and we have already taken some concrete measures.

According to this, the President of the Republic emphasizes that if irregularities or illegal activities in the work of the Service are confirmed in that period that those who are responsible for that must be charged according to the law.

The President of the Republic alerts to the unjustified and adverse attempts of some media to use the Report of the Supreme Office for the Republic of Srpska Public Sector Auditing for unproven attacts on the Institution of the President of the Republic that at the same time ruin the reputation of this Institution.

The President of the Republic agrees and invites authority bodies and institutions to confirm if the work on the adoption of the object could be the reason for endangering safety or for taking any kind of destructive activities.

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović met the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Bosnia and Herzegovina H. E. Andrzej Tyszkiewicz.

The Republic of Srpska is determined towards the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which constitutional position of the Republic of Srpska, as a constitutive part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be fully respected, said the President Kuzmanović.

The President Kuzmanović said that the Development Programme for the period from 2007 to 2010 in the Republic of Srpska is now starting to realize and he therefore invited all Polish investors to invest in the Republic of Srpska that is politically and economically more stable and developed part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The President of the Republic emphasized that, by adopting of quality reform laws, in the Republic of Srpska a favourable business and investment ambience has been created and like that it is a stimulus for further investments.

During the meeting, possibilities and ways of improvement of economic, cultural and scientific cooperation of the Republic of Srpska and Poland have been discussed.

The Ambassador of Poland praised the administration conditions for further investments in the Republic of Srpska and he therefore emphasized that Poland is ready to help Bosnia and Herzegovina in its accession to the European Union by their experience in transition and Euro-Atlantic Integrations.

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović attended the commemorative gathering on the ocassion of 16th anniversary of sufferings of the members of Yugoslav National Army in Tuzla, on May 15, 1992. The President Kuzmanović laid wreaths in the Memorial Charnel House in the City cemetery "Pučile" in Bijeljina.

Talking to those present there, the President Kuzmanović said that effective and legal reserch, truth confirmation, processing and punishment of those who admitted crimes, as it happened in "Tuzla`s column" as well as in all gallows in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are expected from all state bodies, especially from court`s and prosecutor`s bodies. Therefore, being slow or not engaged is not allowed and double standards and limited success of the bodies and courts` processes are out of question, said the President Kuzmanović. He also added that we are not looking for revenge, but for truth, justice and equity. It is expected for every person who planned or committed the crime to be punished and sentenced.

Bodies and institutions of the state and the entity still own an answer to the families of the soldiers, officers and civilians who were killed or brutally tortured, said the President Kuzmanović and he therefore emphasized that truth on destiny and identity of killed soldiers and officers must be confirmed.

May 14
President of the Republic met the Red Cross delegation of the Republic of Srpska

On the occasion of the Red Cross Week, the President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović met the Red Cross delegation of the Republic of Srpska that was led by the president of the Red Cross of RS Jovo Grujičić.

President of the Republic of Srpska praised the work of the Red Cross and he supported the activities of this organization on the ocassion of the Red Cross Week, as well as the action of mass blood donation that will be organized by the Red Cross in June.

The President Kuzmanović emphasized that the Red Cross of the Republic of Srpska succeeded to adapt to the demands and needs of the time and society where it is active.

The President of the Republic of Srpska praised the intentions of authorities of the Red Cross to improve the results in the fields of their action, as collection of humanitarian aid, affirmation of voluntary blood donation, investigation for missed persons and intentions to include greater number of young people in their work.

By helping people in the conditions of social needs, the Red Cross realizes its social role the best way possible and it works on improvement of health and social protection. It promotes humanity and solidarity towards all those who need help and protection, said the President Kuzmanović.

The President of the Republic invited all authority bodies and institutions to support the work of the Red Cross and he also invited citizens, especially young people, to engage voluntary in the work of the Red Cross as that way they would contribute to the realization of human aims of this organization.

On the occasion of devastating earthquake in China and for the fact that many people lost their lives, the President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović sent telegram of condolence to the Ambassador of People's Republic of China in Bosnia and Herzegovina Liu Wenxin.

"Public in the Republic of Srpska carefully follows the intentions of rescuer teams in searching for survived people and it sincerely symphatizes with the citizens of China`s Sichuan Province and with all people in China, especially for the fact that citizens of Banja Luka survived the devastating earthquake that took so many human lives and it caused great material damage", it was stated in the telegram of the President Kuzmanović.

May 12
President of the Republic attended the ceremony of 3rd Infantry Regiment and the Day of the Army of the Republic of Srpska

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović attended the ceremony of 3rd Infantry Regiment (Republic of Srpska) of Army Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Day of the Army of the Republic of Srpska that was held in the barrack "Kozara" in Banja Luka.

Military review of 3rd Infantry Regiment shows that parts of the Army of the Republic of Srpska became a constituent part of the Army Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and like that it will honourably realize its role in the defense of peace, cooperation and mutual respect, said the President Kuzmanović to the journalists after the celebration in the barrack "Kozara" in Banja Luka. He therefore reminded that the Army of the Republic of Srpska had undergone all phases of defense of Serbian people and establishing of the Republic of Srpska to the phase of offering support for creating the Republic of Srpska as democratic and pro-European community.

May 09
President of the Republic laid wreaths on the occasion of May 9, Victory over Fascism Day

On the occasion of May 9-Victory over Fascism Day, the President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović laid wreaths on the Square of Fallen Soldiers in Banja Luka.

May 08
President of the Republic attended the promotion to the Collection "Resources of the Republic of Srpska"

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović attended the promotion to the Collection from the scientific gathering "Resources of the Republic of Srpska". By opening the promotion, the President Kuzmanović emphasized that for the importance of this theme, for about 80 scientific workers and professionals including lawyers, economists, philosophers, politicians, doctors and other scientific workers attended this gathering. It was organized by the Academy of Science and Arts of the Republic of Srpska and there were 52 reports with 42 of them published in the Collection.

Works published in this Collection clearly show that we have important potentials of scientific cadre that has strength, wisdom and willingness for professional and scientific examination as well as to show natural, technical and human resources that can be a guarantee of fast development of the Republic of Srpska, said the President Kuzmanović.

The President Kuzmanović emphasized that human resources are of a special value, and that is often emphasized in numerous reports as well.

At the same time, there is a present concern if this country does enough for stimulating and encouragement for the development of scientific cadres, especially among youth as people are the most important resource of every country, the President of the Republic said. For that reason, talented and young people must be offered optimism and belief in our ability and we must offer them stimulus, employment and respect, said the President Kuzmanović.

President Kuzmanović congratulated May 9 - Europe Day

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović congratulated May
9 - Europe Day to the chief of the Delegation of the European Commission in Bosnia and Herzegovina Dimitris Kurkulas, the Ambassador of Slovenia Nataša Vodušek, to the country that presides over the European Union and to Miroslav Lajčak, the High Representative and special representative of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

’Most cordially, I congratulate you May 9- Europe Day, with my sincere wishes to continue with political and economic improvement and uniting of Europe that is based on democracy and ruling of the law.

I am convinced that soon signing of the Agreement on Stabilization and Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the European Union, that was significantly contributed by the Republic of Srpska as well, will actually open a new chapter of mutual relations and that important step towards the full membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European Union will be made`, it was stated in the congratulation of the President Kuzmanović.

May 07
President of the Republic met French Senators

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović met French Senators Didier Boulaud and Christian Cambon, who are the members of the Commission for Foreign Affairs, Safety and Defense in the French Senate.

The President Kuzmanović emphasized that the Republic of Srpska excels in development, and as a permanent and stable constitutive entity in the frame of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is devoted to its democratic future and European perspective. Representatives of the Republic of Srpska showed that by giving a significant contribution in fulfilling conditions that are necessary for signing the Agreement on Stabilization and Association with the European Union, said the President Kuzmanović. He expressed hope that this Agreement will be signed during this month and that it would open a new chapter in political and economic life of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The President of the Republic thanked for previous French help to Bosnia and Herzegovina and he expressed his conviction that such support will be continued, especially during the period of French Presidency over the European Union in the second half of this year.

The President Kuzmanović underlined that complex governmental structure has not been an obstacle for the Euro-Atlantic Integrations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and he added that Dayton constitutional solutions, that respect specificities of Bosnia and Herzegovina as multinational and multi-confessional community, are the warranty of the long-term stability and equality of constitutive nations and citizens in the state.

Members of the French Senate expressed their contentment with the improvement and economic development of the Republic of Srpska and they supported the intentions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to become a full member of the European Union.

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović met the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Bosnia and Herzegovina Constantin Shuvalov and they discussed the current political situation in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.

The President Kuzmanović emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina has made a significant improvement in the process of the Euro-Atlantic Integrations and he expressed his conviction that the signing of the Agreement on Stabilization and Association with the European Union contributes to the further stabilization in the country.

In the process of the Euro-Atlantic Integrations, representatives of the Republic of Srpska have shown their readiness for compromise and agreement, and they will not allow any violence to the status and authorities of the Republic of Srpska and its institutions, said the President Kuzmanović.

In that sense, the Republic of Srpska assumes that the adoption of the new Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not realistic, but only annexes to the existing Dayton`s solutions that are related to better functioning of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina are possible.

During the meeting, they discussed the Proposal to the Law on Amendments to the election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina that would enable citizens who lived on the territory of the municipality of Srebrenica until 1991 to decide if they wish to vote either in Srebrenica or in the municipality where they live at this moment.

The adoption of this Law, as lex specialis, would be valid only for forthcoming local elections. It would not mean giving special status to Srebrenica, but it would represent further step towards realization of democratic standards, said the President Kuzmanović. He emphasized that the municipality of Srebrenica is a constituent part of the Republic of Srpska and it will remain as such part.

At the same time, the President of the Republic stressed that in Srebrenica economic and social issues should be concerned first instead of the political ones. The President emphasized that the Government of the Republic of Srpska has made significant improvements in that field.

During the meeting, possibilities of improvement of the cooperation on cultural, science and educational plan between the institutions of the Republic of Srpska and Russia were discussed.

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović attended the requiem and memorial to the victims of the Ustashi genocide in the concentration camp Jasenovac held in Memorial area Donja Gradina.

The President of the Republic laid wreaths and paid respects to the victims in Jasenovac. In his speech in the grave field "Hrastovi", the President Kuzmanović said that future generations must be informed about monstrous crime committed in Jasenovac, and it must be a warning that something like that should never be repeated and should never happen to anyone.

The President of the Republic of Srpska Dr. Rajko Kuzmanović congratulated May 3 -World Press Freedom Day to all journalists and media houses in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Existence and activities of liberated, professional and objective media is of a significant importance for every society and the state, not only in the field of information, but in overall democratization of society. World Press Freedom Day, that is devoted to the freedom of accession to the information, reminds that we need to continue and further improve and develop the cooperation of the bodies and institutions in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina together with journalists and media houses, aiming transparent, quality and objective public informing" it was stated in congratulation of the President Kuzmanović.