TRADITIONAL FRIENDLY TIES BETWEEN SRPSKA AND ISRAEL CONFIRMED DURING DODIK’S VISIT TO ISRAEL

LAKTAŠI, JANUARY 27 /SRNA/ – The Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović has stated that Republika Srpska has long-standing friendly relations with Israel and that the multi-day visit to Israel by a Republika Srpska delegation, led by SNSD President Milorad Dodik, is exceptionally important.

Cvijanović stressed that Dodik is the key individual who has left a strong mark on relations between Republika Srpska and Israel.

"This visit is truly rich, not only in terms of its program and the number of activities, but also in its importance and level. Trust has been shown in the leadership of Republika Srpska, and above all in President Dodik, who will receive significant recognition," Cvijanović told reporters in Laktaši.

She added that this recognition is, in a way, the culmination of acknowledgment for Dodik’s persistence in defending the State of Israel and its statehood.

"He is a man who has consistently pointed out, throughout his political career and everyday life, how important it is to nurture these ties and relations. At the same time, he has emphasized how vital it is for every people to be rounded as a whole and to manage its own processes. We have drawn many parallels between Israel and Republika Srpska, and we are certainly permanently connected with them," Cvijanović said.

Responding to reporters’ questions, she added that the warm reception Dodik received in Israel confirms recognition of his role in building relations between the authorities and the State of Israel and Republika Srpska, as well as between the Jewish and Serbian peoples.

"I am not surprised, because over all these years working alongside President Dodik, I have been able to see the nature of these relations, and I would say that this is perhaps also a reward for everything that has been done together," Cvijanović noted.

The Acting President of Republika Srpska Ana Trišić Babić and SNSD President Milorad Dodik are on a multi-day official visit to Israel, where they are scheduled to hold a number of important meetings with Israeli officials.

The Republika Srpska delegation also includes the Serb delegate in the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, Radovan Kovačević.

On Thursday, 29 January, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana is expected to formally present Dodik with the Jabotinsky Prize for Peace, a highly significant recognition for fostering good relations with Israel.