The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, stated that he will continue communicating with the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, describing him as a man who is not an extremist, loves people, and does not discriminate based on national identity.
“I can discuss many strategic issues and foster good relations with Milanović,” said Dodik.
Dodik pointed out that it is in the interest of the Serbs that Croats do not lose their status as a constituent people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as Serbs would be next, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and dialogue for mutual benefit, despite the historical traumas that prevent Serbs and Croats from being “on the same side.”
“Of course, we cannot be on the same side. Serbs and Croats often stand on opposite sides during commemorations. Zoran Milanović, as president, cannot step away from representing Croatia and its people—he cannot avoid attending events like those in Knin. Similarly, there are places significant to us that may be painful for Croats if we are present,” noted Dodik.
He believes that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and the Croatian leadership can do more to improve relations between Serbs and Croats, observing that both nations are Christian.
“Many things cannot be forgiven, but they should not serve as reasons for new unpleasant, traumatic historical moments. They have their state called Croatia; we have our two states—one is Serbia, and the other is Republika Srpska. We are focused on stabilizing our existence here,” Dodik said in an interview with Tanjug.
In response to criticism from HDZ presidential candidate Dragan Primorac over his cooperation with Milanović, Dodik expressed satisfaction that someone like Primorac considers him unacceptable.
“I’m glad when he says I’m unacceptable because he is unacceptable to me. He evicted Serbs from Split, broke into their apartments, and looted property to prove he was a ‘true Croat.’ Zoran Milanović didn’t feel the need to be an extremist, and I will continue communicating with him,” Dodik asserted.
Addressing the question of NGOs in Republika Srpska receiving funds from foreign governments, Dodik stated that Serbia and Republika Srpska are “full of foreign mercenaries,” some of whom secretly work and receive cash payments.
“They are drones living here deceitfully. They deceive not only the people but also those who send them money because, besides spreading lies and maintaining a narrative designed to make Serbs one day blame themselves for existing, they have achieved nothing in recent years,” Dodik said.
He highlighted that the role of foreign agents is well-defined in U.S. law, which considers anyone receiving funds from any foreign source a foreign agent.
“It’s straightforward—if you are funded by someone in a foreign country, then you are a foreign agent,” Dodik concluded.
Source: RTRS
