Relations between Republika Srpska and the United States are on an upward trajectory, marked by growing mutual understanding and realistic respect for the interests of peoples and institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina—particularly in the context of the administration of President Donald Trump—said Acting President of Republika Srpska Ana Trivić Babić after a meeting with delegations from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and the company Bechtel.
The meeting, also attended by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires in Bosnia and Herzegovina John Ginkel, focused on opportunities for cooperation in the fields of energy and strategic infrastructure projects.
Bechtel, one of the world’s leading companies in energy infrastructure construction, expressed strong interest in the possibility of joint projects with the Government of Republika Srpska. Trivić Babić reminded them that many development projects important for Republika Srpska have repeatedly been blocked or challenged by political Sarajevo, often without rational explanation. She added that Republika Srpska remains fully committed to the Dayton Peace Agreement and that there are issues representing “red lines” for the institutions of Srpska.
“The issue of property and attempts to deprive Republika Srpska of the right to manage its own property represent a ‘red line’ for the institutions and all political actors in Republika Srpska. Any attempt to impose or take away this right from Republika Srpska will result in a halt to decision-making at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Trivić Babić stressed.
It was concluded at the meeting that open dialogue is the best path toward stability and prosperity for all peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The new dynamic in relations between Republika Srpska and the United States was also welcomed, as it opens space for broad economic cooperation, including investment and a stronger presence of U.S. companies in Republika Srpska.
“The Government of the United States and the private sector are working together to bring American experience, innovation, and technical excellence to the most important infrastructure projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina said in a statement.
In addition to meeting with Ana Trivić Babić, the U.S. delegation also met with Deputy Chair of the House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Čović and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Minister of Energy, Mining, and Industry Vedran Lakić, with whom they discussed the construction of the Southern Gas Interconnection pipeline.
Source: RTRS
