KOŠARAC: PARTICIPATION IN "EXPO 2027" IN BELGRADE IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR SRPSKA

BELGRADE, JULY 3 /SRNA/ - Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac expressed confidence that Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) will know how to make use of the opportunity provided by participation in the specialized exhibition “Expo 2027” in Belgrade, stressing that this allows Republika Srpska to present its potentials and values.

"The fact that Serbia will be visited by four million people and that around 140 countries will participate in Expo is a good opportunity for both Republika Srpska and the FBiH, as neighbours, to make connections and take part in Expo 2027," Košarac said after signing the agreement on BiH’s participation in the specialized exhibition.

Košarac thanked Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić for the invitation extended to BiH to participate in Expo 2027, stressing that this confirms the correctness of his policy for Serbia to position itself not only as a regional leader but also as a country capable of hosting representatives from nearly 140 countries, which few in the region can do.

"This process is very important for us in BiH, and at the meeting we defined certain operational and technical steps, which is an important step forward," Košarac said.

He stressed that Serbia is one of the most important foreign trade partners for BiH’s business community.

"There are indeed certain prejudices in parts of the FBiH when it comes to Serbia, but I believe we should develop good relations and, based on the policies of President Vučić and President Dodik, implement the visions they have," Košarac said.

He said that his role is to support the policies of President Dodik and President Vučić, adding that he would not pay much attention to prejudices that "reside in certain political minds in Sarajevo."

Serbia’s Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade Jagoda Lazarević expressed great satisfaction that an agreement on BiH’s participation in the specialized exhibition “Expo 2027” in Belgrade had been signed, stressing that BiH is a neighbour and one of Serbia’s key partners.

"One of Serbia’s key economic partners will be with us next year, will have its own national pavilion in a very attractive location, and I believe it will present everything that a diverse and rich BiH, with all its specificities, has to offer," Lazarević said.

She stressed that "Expo 2027" is not only a Serbian project but a regional one, noting that the fact that the exhibition will be visited by around four million people brings benefits to citizens as well as companies across the entire region.

"I believe that together with BiH, and of course Republika Srpska as its important part, we will be able to show what we know and can do, and demonstrate to people on the other side of the Drina that Expo can connect and bring benefits, primarily economic ones, to everyone," Lazarević said.

The Director of the Specialized Exhibition "Expo 2027," Danilo Jerinić, said that the agreement signed today represents an important step in BiH’s preparations for participation, noting that the number of volunteers from BiH is the highest among all foreign applicants.

The specialized exhibition "Expo 2027" will be held in Belgrade from May 15 to August 15, 2027, under the theme "Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All."

Participation in the exhibition in Belgrade has been confirmed by more than 135 countries, including Russia, China, and the United States.