The meeting that President Milorad Dodik and I held with Russian President Vladimir Putin lasted longer than scheduled under protocol because one important topic after another emerged during the talks, Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić said on the Morning Program.
“I think we may not even be fully aware of how important Russia is. It is a signatory and guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement and, together with Serbia, is in a position to point out certain anomalies and violations of that agreement,” Minić said.
He said he was pleasantly surprised by Putin’s detailed knowledge of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
“You know that Russia withdrew from the Peace Implementation Council precisely because it saw where things were heading. When you have the support of such a powerful partner and when you are respected in such an important place in the world, you can discuss issues that directly concern you through the Dayton Peace Agreement at what is certainly one of the two most important centers in the world at this moment,” Minić said.
Speaking about political, economic and other forms of power, Minić said Europe represents a grouping directed from Brussels, while Russia constitutes a major power in its own right, as do the United States.
“Having such an interlocutor is something whose importance, I must admit, I may not have fully understood before, including what Republika Srpska means in that context. President Putin always says ‘Republika Srpska.’ What is very important is that we are not a destructive factor. We want Republika Srpska within the framework of the Dayton Peace Agreement and, as such, within Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have nothing against anyone, but we oppose the degradation of Republika Srpska and the removal of its competencies,” Minić told RTRS.
He described the meeting with President Vladimir Putin as highly significant for Republika Srpska.
Speaking about gas prices, Minić said Europe would certainly face major difficulties regarding gas supplies and heating.
“Republika Srpska and Serbia will retain the current gas price,” Minić said.
He added that Republika Srpska has the capacity to maintain dialogue with Russia, Israel and the United States.
“We are constantly showing what Republika Srpska looks like when the iron shackles and sanctions are removed. Economic cooperation is our priority, but we also pay attention to cultural cooperation and other areas. We have remained in contact with the Russian Federation throughout this period. I often hear the question: ‘What have we received from Russia?’ We have a global friend who understands us, someone who is a guarantor of Dayton and who will protect the institutions of Republika Srpska,” Minić said.
President Milorad Dodik and Prime Minister Savo Minić recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia.
Among the outcomes presented following the talks were that the gas price for Republika Srpska would remain unchanged and that the Russian side had expressed interest in cooperation with the Orao Aviation Institute in Bijeljina.
Source: RTRS
