Republika Srpska is a credible partner and interlocutor for many countries around the world because it pursues a consistent policy, said Bojan Šolaja from the Center for International and Security Studies.
Šolaja noted that the latest confirmation of Republika Srpska’s strong positioning on the international stage is the visit of Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović to the United States.
“Representatives of Republika Srpska are holding talks with officials of the Russia, the United States, China, Israel, as well as countries of the European Union. I believe that this consistency has contributed to building trust and intensifying relations with the United States, which can now be clearly seen,” Šolaja told Srna.
He pointed out that the approach of the United States toward both the world and Republika Srpska has changed since Republicans came to power, adding that the previous Democratic administration created many problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, new relations have emerged between Republika Srpska and the United States. We can say that new relations have also developed between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States. Željka Cvijanović is the Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The other two members of the Presidency and the foreign minister have not had contacts as significant as those held by Cvijanović,” Šolaja emphasized.
He added that in the context of new geopolitical relations, Republika Srpska has found its place and has become a good interlocutor for many countries.
“We have gone through a lot over the past 30 years, and perhaps the time has come for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be shaped in a different way. The United States understands this and therefore says that the two sides and the three constituent peoples should hold talks, aware of those identities. That is why they speak about the sovereignty of peoples, because they understand the structure here and the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a unified state,” Šolaja said.
He also stated that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sarajevo have been surprised by the new approach, since over the past three decades they exerted pressure on Republika Srpska through other countries.
“They can no longer do that. They no longer have that influence on diplomatic representatives in Sarajevo, and it is understandable that this does not suit them. Republika Srpska is following its own path. This approach does not bother anyone and is not directed against anyone,” Šolaja concluded.
Source: RTRS
