Republic of Srpska President and BiH Presidency President Meet with Pope Francis

The President of the Republic of Srpska Željka Cvijanović and the President of the Presidency of BiH Milorad Dodik spoke today in the Vatican with Pope Francis.

The President of the Republic of Srpska stated that the meeting that she and the BiH Presidency President Milorad Dodik had today with the Pope is very important and that she carries the best of impressions from the meeting.

“I am especially honoured with and proud of the fact that the pope wished us a happy Easter and asked us to convey his congratulations to the believers in the Republic of Srpska and BiH. This is an indication of the attention and mutual understanding that exists,” said President Cvijanović.

The President of the Republic said it is very important that she had the opportunity to take part, as President of the Republic, in meetings with the Pope and with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and added she was encouraged by what she heard about the attention paid to the interests of all ethnic communities in BiH.

The President of Srpska stressed it was very important she had the opportunity to represent the Republic of Srpska and that she is honoured that she took part in the delegation of the Presidency President.

“This visit is very important because everyone sees what happens in Vatican,” indicated the President of the Republic of Srpska.

President Cvijanović pointed out that the Vatican is very interested in the situation regarding the Elections Law and the status of the Croat and Catholic population in BiH, which is very understandable, and added that she also saw another dimension, that there was a wish to discuss on equal grounds with all parties and that there is respect for the Republic of Srpska.

The President of Srpska confirmed that the Pope and the Vatican are well aware of the situation in BiH.

“Especially when talking to the Secretary of State, you have no dilemma, from the agreement regulating the relations between the Catholic Church and BiH up to many operational matters, but also matters of political character such as the Election Law and the need to ensure full equality, and many other topics that we are facing,” concluded President Cvijanović.