KOVAČEVIĆ: SRPSKA MANAGED TO BE AT THE TABLE, NOT ON THE TABLE, UNLIKE BiH

BANJA LUKA, FEBRUARY 6 /SRNA/ - The visit of the Republika Srpska delegation to the United States is an incredible success, as Republika Srpska managed to be at the table rather than on the table, unlike BiH, said Radovan Kovačević, Serb delegate to the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

Kovačević stated that Republika Srpska is now a factor and a partner with whom discussions are held.

He recalled that only a few months ago the entire leadership of Republika Srpska was under sanctions imposed by the former US administration and that many had said Republika Srpska was making a mistake when it supported Donald Trump and when Milorad Dodik had the vision and courage to do so first in Europe, clearly, openly and unequivocally.

According to him, the results of that policy are now clearly visible.

"First, sanctions against all people from Republika Srpska were lifted. Second, we see that the entire top state leadership is currently in America and has been received at the highest level," Kovačević said.

He also noted that the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović is staying in Washington, attending the National Prayer Breakfast, and has not published any photographs.

Kovačević said that during the entire visit to Washington, Milatović had only one meeting with a congressman.

"Meanwhile, the state leadership of Republika Srpska met in the past few days with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson, one of the most important figures in President Trump's administration, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whom Trump calls the `Secretary of War,` and with the Secretary of Commerce, who, along with Hegseth and Johnson, is among Trump's key political figures," Kovačević said.

He added that there is constant talk about Trump threatening others through tariffs, noting that these policies are led by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, with whom the Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović, also met.

According to him, it is important for the citizens of Republika Srpska to know that SNSD leader Milorad Dodik will speak tomorrow at a press conference about the exceptionally high level of understanding that the RS delegation encountered in the US

"They clearly understand and respect our determination in the struggle for freedom, because freedom is the idea most valued in the United States. They also understand the position of Christians who are fighting not to be overpowered, expelled, assimilated or oppressed by others," Kovačević told RTRS.

He assessed that it is important for RS citizens to see how concrete these visits and talks are, stating that the first potential investors will arrive in Republika Srpska as early as next month and that new jobs are expected as a result of the visit.

He also recalled a recent visit by an RS delegation to Israel, where discussions were held on concrete projects and support for Republika Srpska in political, diplomatic and other fields.

"Very soon we will begin signing bilateral interstate cooperation agreements in many areas, including trade, economy, culture and tourism, from which we expect significant benefits," Kovačević said.

He emphasized that Republika Srpska does nothing without communication with Serbia and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

Kovačević claimed that officials in Sarajevo are confused and alarmed by the RS delegation's visit to the United States.

Stating that Israel views Republika Srpska as its partner, which he described as very important, Kovačević added that good relations with Israel could help Republika Srpska globally.

"My personal impression is that at every meeting, Israeli representatives showed enormous respect toward Republika Srpska, gratitude and a clear intention to make cooperation concrete," he said.

He also commented on claims from Sarajevo that Republika Srpska officials met US officials in hallways, explaining that in diplomacy there are bilateral meetings as well as meetings held on the margins of major events, such as the National Prayer Breakfast.

"These meetings are not accidental. Can anyone believe that someone could randomly run into the U.S. defense secretary or the Speaker of the House in a hallway and talk and take photos? There are no coincidences in top-level international politics," Kovačević said.

He stressed that meetings between Republika Srpska and U.S. officials were arranged in advance.

"Our delegation did not plan to take photos with the defense secretary. They intended to convey certain important information, after which he suggested taking photos. Both meetings were pre-arranged and planned," he said.

He added that Sarajevo tried to ignore the visits of the RS delegation to Israel and the US, and that some media in Republika Srpska followed that narrative.

"Yesterday Sarajevo-based media tried not to report anything, but they had no choice, and then started complaining and attacking, while the successes of Republika Srpska have nothing to do with someone else's failures," Kovačević said.

"We are determined, dedicated and ready to withstand any pressure in order to complete our task, and our task is Republika Srpska. Our task is the state of Republika Srpska," Kovačević concluded, adding that Republika Srpska has partners all over the world.