The Minister for European Integration and International Cooperation of Republika Srpska, Zlatan Klokić, stated today at Jahorina that Republika Srpska is opening politically and economically to third markets, because this is a rational developmental necessity and opportunity—especially today, as various conditions, pressures, and sanctions are being imposed on Srpska by the EU.
Klokić pointed out that Republika Srpska is currently facing various internal and external pressures and conditions, both political and economic.
“It is a fact that we are facing many challenges, but it is also a fact that Republika Srpska is opening politically and economically to other markets, such as the Russian Federation, China, Hungary, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and the Gulf countries, because we can no longer rely solely on the EU countries, as they are conditioning us with certain requirements. This is not a whim, but a rational answer to the question of the direction Republika Srpska should take in seeking its opportunity for economic development,” Klokić told SRNA.
On the final day of the Jahorina Economic Forum, Klokić spoke on the panel “Barriers in the region – the future of the Western Balkans economy in the shadow of regional and global divisions,” where he highlighted the challenges in regional cooperation and global trends.
“It is precisely those global trends that we should use to strengthen economic cooperation in the region, primarily through the construction of infrastructure projects, so that all countries in the region can benefit economically and grow stronger,” said Klokić.
He emphasized that everything should be used as an opportunity, which he stressed on the panel, since regional infrastructure projects should serve as a guide for overcoming current economic challenges in these global developments.
Klokić reminded that political stability is a key aspect for economic development worldwide, including in the Western Balkans, which is constantly emphasized by foreign investors.
“Today we live in a time when political stability is very challenging, not only in the Balkans but globally, because if we look from the Second World War until today, there are more hotspots in the world now than ever before, and we are witnessing that the new U.S. administration is trying to stabilize global trends and challenges, and I hope they will succeed,” Klokić noted.
According to him, one of the challenges is undoubtedly the issue of energy and energy sources, which both Europe and the world are facing, particularly the so-called “green transition,” which should not lead to energy instability or risks.
“In this transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewable sources, we must first and foremost take care of system stability, the protection of electricity consumers, and the citizens of Republika Srpska, especially since Srpska has the lowest electricity prices,” said Klokić.
He emphasized that the main goal of the Government of Republika Srpska is to maintain energy stability.
Klokić also thanked the Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska, which traditionally organizes the Jahorina Economic Forum.
Source: RTRS
