CVIJANOVIĆ: RUBIO’S MUNICH ADDRESS DELIVERS MESSAGES REPUBLIKA SRPSKA CAN RELATE TO

MUNICH, FEBRUARY 14 /SRNA/ – The Serb member of the BiH Presidency, Željka Cvijanović, has stated that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered very important messages in his speech at the Munich Security Conference that Republika Srpska can identify with, describing them as highly significant.

Cvijanović pointed out that Rubio is aware that this is a new world and clearly stated that the current situation no longer resembles the previous one and that new solutions must be sought for new realities.

"Rubio pointed to a whole series of wrong decisions that were consciously made in the past, not excluding his own country, and said the time has come to change things and return to what is called identity, economic strength and collective defense capability," said Cvijanović, who attended the Munich Security Conference.

She said that the United States is not closing the door to cooperation with Europe, but is very clearly positioning the policies of the new administration and outlining its expectations of those who aspire to be partners in achieving those goals.

"A phenomenal speech by the secretary of state. Anyone who wants to listen carefully can hear those messages," Cvijanović said, adding that it was an inspiring and thought-provoking address.

Speaking about her meeting with Brendan Hanrahan, head of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the US State Department, Cvijanović described the talks as constructive and positive.

"We have very good cooperation with people in the new US administration. We welcome their approach, which is focused on developing economic cooperation, and we are pleased that they apply the same approach to everyone. There is no favoritism such as we have seen before, nor accusations directed at some parties," Cvijanović said.

She stressed that this opens space for discussions on political and security challenges, as well as for strengthening economic cooperation.

Cvijanović said she is pleased that the United States is, for the first time, approaching matters in an economic way.

"In the previous period they did not have such an approach. We are very interested in moving in that direction when it comes to the energy sector and infrastructure in Republika Srpska. It is very good when you can discuss concrete issues where you can demonstrate partnership and mutual interest," Cvijanović told RTRS.

She underlined that it is important for Republika Srpska to have political understanding as well, adding that the United States is fully aware of the causes of many crises that have exhausted, undermined and destabilized BiH.

“They have taken a constructive approach and that will continue in the future. When matters are set in that way, it gives you an opportunity to talk,” Cvijanović said, adding that she will visit the United States again very soon.