The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, stated that the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend aid to non-governmental organizations is a signal for Republika Srpska to adopt its own law on these organizations, which have been using foreign funds for years to slander Serbs and Republika Srpska.
Dodik emphasized that NGOs will no longer be able to engage in such activities as a strict law will be adopted.
“There are all kinds of scoundrels here who use foreign funds and do everything to smear the Serb people and the state of Republika Srpska. We will not seek revenge, but we will say one thing – you will no longer be able to do this,” Dodik stated.
Commenting on media reports that there are more than 25,600 NGOs in Sarajevo, Dodik described the situation as alarming.
He announced that the first session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska will see the adoption of a stricter law on NGOs than the one previously proposed.
“It will be even stricter than the one we initially offered when we tried to reach a compromise. But since you did not want a compromise and thought you could dictate terms, now you will get a law that will be rigorous,” Dodik added.
He also stressed that this decision will be implemented even at the cost of Republika Srpska’s European integration path.
“We do not care about the EU’s opinion on this. If this means the end of the European path, fine. You will not tell us what we should do here,” said Dodik.
He pointed out that Europe is experiencing significant turmoil and that a broader movement of resistance against the current EU policies is emerging.
Trump recently signed an executive order suspending financial aid to non-governmental organizations.
According to the U.S. portal “The Grayzone,” there are currently 25,600 active NGOs in Sarajevo that depend on funding from the United States.
Source: RTRS
