BUDIMIR: COOPERATION IS STRATEGIC, SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

BUDAPEST, JUNE 5 /SRNA/ – The Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska Željko Budimir assessed that the cooperation between Srpska and Hungary is strategic and that significant progress has been made in terms of collaboration and projects in the field of higher education.

"This is a strategic partnership, and our relations are developing daily. We have established cooperation in the field of high technology and high-tech parks. One of the announcements we received is that the signing process of the agreement with the Saudi fund will be unblocked, which will intensify the construction of the science and technology park," Budimir told reporters in Budapest following the meeting between the Republika Srpska delegation, led by President Milorad Dodik, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

He recalled that cooperation has also been established in the fields of economy and science, which is of great interest to Republika Srpska.

Minister Budimir noted that the accreditation process for higher education institutions in Srpska has been finalized.

"One such case is the accreditation of the Faculty of Medicine in Foča, which has now received European accreditation. We recently signed an agreement enabling our students to access funds in Hungary," Budimir said.

He also pointed out that an increasing number of students from Republika Srpska, especially from the Banja Luka region, are attending high schools in Hungary.

"Our universities are cooperating as well, especially on research projects. The Institute of History will host a conference, and we also discussed cooperation with the Hungarian State Institute of History," Budimir emphasized.

The President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik stated earlier today in Budapest, after the meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, that it is extremely important that Hungary understands the position of Republika Srpska within BiH.

He stressed that the meeting addressed previously agreed projects and initiatives, and their implementation is progressing very well.

"We discussed economic, political, and strategic matters. We talked about new ways of cooperation and a set of economic policies, which is highly significant," Dodik added.

In addition to Minister Budimir, the meeting was attended by Minister of Finance Zora Vidović, Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Đokić, General Director of `Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske` Luka Petrović, and BiH Ambassador to Hungary Biljana Gutić-Bjelica.