For Republika Srpska, it is significant that there are Serbs in Donald Trump’s administration who present the true picture of Serbia and Srpska, said economic diplomacy expert Siniša Pepić.
In an interview on RTRS’s morning program, Pepić emphasized that Srpska does not need an ambassador in Sarajevo who takes a biased stance.
- From the new US administration, we expect an ambassador who will not act as a colonial overseer, one who does not view Srpska as an obstacle to a unitary Bosnia and Herzegovina or seek to dismantle it, but rather see it as a favorable destination for American investments – he said.
He added that efforts should be made to strengthen economic ties between Republika Srpska and the US.
- Srpska had been working towards this with previous ambassadors. Our goods were being exported to the US, and certain contacts were being established. However, the previous US Embassy administration did everything but strengthen relations between the US and Serbs – Pepić pointed out.
He further noted the importance of remembering that, during World War II, Americans were our allies, and the Serb people around Doboj rescued American pilots.
- Such traditional ties should have been preserved, but they were destroyed within a few years of Ambassador Murphy’s tenure. From the new US administration, we expect them not to meddle in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s internal affairs, to stop dictating policies, and to let the people of BiH decide their own future – he emphasized.
Pepić highlighted the importance of countries like Hungary being well-informed about the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as seen in the recent visit of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik to Hungary.
- During his first visit to Banja Luka, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said, ‘I’m going to Banja Luka to talk with the Serbs because I’m tired of talking about them. You don’t talk about Serbs, you talk with them.’ This approach led to Hungary becoming an ally because they understood our needs. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has shown, in his recent visits to various countries worldwide, that he is ready to engage in dialogue, whether with Western or Eastern nations. This is what Republika Srpska needs – Pepić said.
He emphasized that Hungary has recognized that Republika Srpska has a group of politicians with a vision for a stable Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by its people and its legitimately elected leadership.
- This was not recognized until direct discussions were held, such as Dodik’s meetings with French senators and the Minister of the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg – Pepić added.
All of them, he pointed out, expressed at these meetings a willingness to find solutions to help make Bosnia and Herzegovina a better and more functional country.
- With this approach, we are gaining more political allies in Western Europe every day – Pepić concluded.
Source: RTRS
