A delegation of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska participated today in the first meeting of the Commission for cooperation between the National Assembly of Republika Srpska and the State Duma of the Russian Federation, held in Moscow.
MP Ranka Perić Romić, who led the delegation of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, spoke at the Commission session about supporting and enhancing humanitarian ties, youth exchanges, cooperation between educational institutions, and the teaching of the Russian language in Republika Srpska.
She stated that in recent times, cooperation between higher education institutions in Srpska and Russia has intensified in several directions — student exchanges and study visits, guest lectures, participation in scientific conferences, and the publication of joint academic works.
“I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the signed cooperation agreements between two public universities in Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation. Over the past five years, the University of Banja Luka has signed 15 cooperation agreements with universities in the Russian Federation, and the University of East Sarajevo has signed 21,” said Perić Romić.
She emphasized that there is room to expand the already established cooperation, especially in terms of student exchanges, joint master programs, strengthening and developing cultural events, and more.
MP Dr. Milica Lovrić, also a member of the delegation, stressed at the Commission session the importance of cooperation not only with the State Duma, but also with the Federation Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, which has been a strong pillar of support in Srpska’s institutional initiatives on the international stage.
“Recent official visits by the leadership of Republika Srpska to Moscow, and high-level talks, confirmed that Russia remains consistent in its respect for the Dayton Peace Agreement, which is essential for our internal stability and position within BiH,” she said.
National Assembly member Siniša Mijatović noted that, thanks to excellent cooperation with the Russian Federation, Republika Srpska and BiH have the lowest gas prices in Europe. He also reminded that the construction of a gas pipeline and gas stations across the territory of Srpska is planned.
He believes that economic cooperation between Srpska and Russia could be expanded, particularly in the area of food production, and that Russian companies could invest in modernizing Srpska’s infrastructure, fertilizer and pesticide production, and organic agriculture projects.
“Finally, I would add that I see great potential for cooperation in IT technology, tourism, and education,” Mijatović said.
MP Aleksandar Trninić spoke about the possibilities of launching cooperation between the Russian Federation and Republika Srpska in the areas of road, rail, air, and cargo transport.
“I would particularly emphasize the importance of political cooperation with the State Duma as a key partner, which enables expansion into other areas — such as student exchanges, university cooperation, linking cultural and scientific institutions, support for the learning of the Russian language in Republika Srpska, and the promotion of our culture in the Russian Federation,” said MP Maja Dragojević Stojić at the Commission session.
Members of the Commission from the State Duma of the Russian Federation expressed interest in further student exchanges and stressed the need to strengthen cooperation on the international level.
The Commission for cooperation between the National Assembly of Republika Srpska and the State Duma of the Russian Federation was established as a result of the Cooperation Agreement signed in March 2024 by the Speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Dr. Nenad Stevandić.
The delegation of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska was led by MP Ranka Perić Romić and included MPs Maja Dragojević Stojić, Dr. Milica Lovrić, Siniša Mijatović, and Aleksandar Trninić.
The Russian Federation delegation included: Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education Sergey Vladimirovich Kabyshev, First Deputy Chair of the Committee on International Affairs Svetlana Sergeyevna Zhurova, Chair of the Committee on Energy Nikolay Grigorievich Shulginov, First Deputy Chair of the Committee on Economic Policy Denis Borisovich Kravchenko, and First Deputy Chair of the Committee on Science and Higher Education Vladimir Vladimirovich Sipyagin.
Source: RTRS
