The Russian Federation is closely following developments in Republika Srpska, supports it and remains committed to cooperation, while Moscow is one of the most important international addresses its officials could visit, President Milorad Dodik and Prime Minister Savo Minić said after returning from Russia.
According to the two officials, Russia remains an important source of international support for Republika Srpska and continues to advocate respect for the Dayton Peace Agreement and the constitutional framework. They also announced plans to expand cooperation in the fields of economy, technology and medicine.
Preliminary agreement was reached on cooperation with the Orao aviation institute in Bijeljina, while larger quotas were also agreed for exports of fruit, vegetables and dairy products to the Russian market. Officials also said that a Russian team working on a cancer treatment would make its expertise available to Republika Srpska.
Dodik described the visit to Russia and the meeting with President Vladimir Putin as beneficial to the Serb people and Republika Srpska.
“This is one of the most important addresses in the world that we could have visited. Željka Cvijanović’s recent visit to the United States and her high-level talks at the White House, together with the meeting we have now held, round off one part of the activities we have pursued during this period in an effort to strengthen the geopolitical, or rather political, status of Republika Srpska,” Dodik said.
He emphasized that Republika Srpska remains the priority and has no alternative.
Prime Minister Savo Minić said Russian officials respect the institutions of Republika Srpska and their representatives.
“The talks show that the Russian Federation truly regards us as a partner at a level which, to be frank, perhaps even we are not fully aware of. Visiting one of the two or three places on the planet that influence future developments at the global level can certainly be of great benefit,” Minić said.
Strategic cooperation with Russia
Republika Srpska and Russia will continue their strategic cooperation, with Moscow remaining committed to what Dodik described as respect for the original Dayton framework and Republika Srpska’s constitutional position.
Dodik said he proposed the establishment of a council that would include the presidents and prime ministers of the Russian Federation and Republika Srpska.
The body would meet once a year to discuss bilateral relations of strategic importance, while a joint session of the two governments would precede the highest-level meeting, according to Dodik.
Larger export quotas and cooperation with Orao
Economic cooperation was another major topic during the visit.
The two sides discussed ways to increase exports from Republika Srpska to Russia, with larger quotas agreed for fruit, vegetables and dairy products.
Minić said he expects economic cooperation to expand further if existing restrictions affecting banking transactions and the movement of goods and services are eased.
Dodik also announced discussions on developing a new line for the maintenance and overhaul of jet aircraft at the Orao aviation institute in Bijeljina.
“We discussed developing a new jet aircraft maintenance line within the overhaul institute, which would then be installed in Bijeljina, and continuing that cooperation. We will examine how this can be done and will halt all transformations within Orao so that we can complete the project, because we believe it is very important,” Dodik said.
Cooperation in medicine
Officials also highlighted talks with representatives of the Russian Academy of Sciences, particularly in the field of medicine.
Dodik said a medical team within the Academy that had been tasked by Putin with developing a cancer treatment had offered to cooperate with Republika Srpska.
“Their medical team within the Academy of Sciences, which President Putin tasked with developing a cancer treatment, has made itself available to Republika Srpska. We will develop procedures and practices with them, including those already taking place through the Faculty of Medicine, so that we can benefit from these achievements,” Dodik said.
It was also agreed that the Russian Federation would undertake the interior decoration of the Russian-Serbian church in Banja Luka. Once the work is completed, the two sides are expected to jointly decide on the date of the church’s consecration.
Source: RTRS
