DODIK: ORBAN'S AND HUNGARY'S POLICIES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SURVIVAL OF CHRISTIAN ELEMENT IN BiH

BUDAPEST, NOVEMBER 26 /SRNA/ - SNSD leader Milorad Dodik emphasized that the policies of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Hungary have introduced a new geopolitical dimension to cooperation with Republika Srpska and contributed to the survival of the Christian element in BiH, as well as helping to preserve the demographic and thus geopolitical landscape of the Balkans.

Addressing tonight’s reception in Budapest, organized by Republika Srpska to express gratitude to Hungary and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for their ongoing cooperation and friendly relations with Republika Srpska, Dodik said that the Office of the President of Srpska thanks the Office of the Prime Minister of Hungary for its long-standing support and friendship.

Dodik emphasized that tonight’s reception is a unique opportunity with a historical background.

“Few governments in the world, and few leaders, have had a genuine interest in truly getting to know a country, understanding its political processes, and meeting and listening to its leaders, regardless of the political and media narrative in play. We are grateful to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for his willingness to get to know us, to listen to us, and for his decision to help us,” Dodik said.

He pointed out that it is this approach that has kept Republika Srpska, its institutions, and its people politically and economically alive, maintaining it as a political factor in BiH - a role assigned to it by the Dayton Peace Agreement.

“Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán, with the support of his ministers, is among the few who have had the vision and courage to take such a step and pursue such a policy toward Republika Srpska, and thus toward BiH. This policy has presented Hungary and its people as friends, and Prime Minister Orbán as one of the most popular world leaders in Republika Srpska.

We are aware that recent times have brought certain difficulties for Mr. Orbán due to the aforementioned political decision. We know that he has had to explain more than once why he supports Republika Srpska and its institutions,” emphasized the SNSD leader.

Recalling that Republika Srpska is the Christian part of BiH, Dodik stated that for decades Srpska has been misrepresented in Western politics and media, and unfairly and falsely demonized and accused of actions for which it was not responsible.

“For decades, Republika Srpska has called for dialogue with all political actors, both within BiH and internationally, offering dialogue and compromise, yet has been persistently rejected. Based on the falsehoods presented by political Muslim Sarajevo, and supported by Brussels and many centers of power, Republika Srpska has been deprived of significant pre-accession European funds, and its Christian population has been subjected to political, religious, economic, and social discrimination from the 1990s to the present day.

“You may wonder, how have we survived? Thanks to the awareness that we are defending our faith, our truth, thanks to our national pride, and the defense of the rule of law, in which we have deep faith. We have also survived thanks to our friends, first and foremost Prime Minister Orbán, but one must not forget the support and friendship of the Russian Federation and the new U.S. administration,” Dodik emphasized.

He added that a major ally of Republika Srpska, a friend and guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Serbia - home to the majority of the Serbian people in this part of Europe - understands our situation best and provides assistance, for which we are grateful.

The SNSD leader reminded that the election of the new U.S. administration, led by President Donald Trump, was publicly supported by the leaders and institutions of Republika Srpska, and that its citizens with voting rights in the U.S. also voted for President Trump in all three electoral cycles when he was a candidate.

"Allow me to use this occasion to express my support for Prime Minister Orbán, Presidents Trump and Vladimir Putin in their peace negotiations, calls for peace and dialogue, and diplomatic solutions to all conflicts in the world,” Dodik said.

At the end of his address, he wished eternal life to Hungary and Republika Srpska, as well as to Serbian-Hungarian friendship!

Biljana Gutić Bjelica, the BiH Ambassador to Hungary, said that the reception is a sign of gratitude to Hungary.

“Thank you for celebrating friendship with us and for always standing by our side,” Gutić Bjelica said.

The reception began with the playing of the anthem of Republika Srpska, "Moja Republika," and the anthem of Hungary.

In addition to Dodik and Gutić Bjelica, the hosts of the reception include the Acting President of Republika Srpska, Ana Trišić Babić, and the Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education, Siniša Karan.

The reception is attended by representatives of Hungary’s political and public life, as well as members of the Serbian community in that country.