TRIŠIĆ BABIĆ: REPUBLIKA SRPSKA MUST HAVE A SAY, NOT HAVE DECISIONS MADE ABOUT IT IN SARAJEVO AND BRUSSELS

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 5 /SRNA/ — Republika Srpska has considerably positioned itself over the past two years despite considerable challenges, as it has the right to have its voice heard and to be consulted, rather than have decisions concerning it made at the level of Sarajevo or Brussels, acting director of the Republika Srpska Office for International Cooperation Ana Trišić Babić said.

"We have seen that a great deal depends on Republika Srpska and that everyone is watching Republika Srpska. They wanted to break it, to make it disappear, believing it would be easier for them to pursue their ideas and operations from Sarajevo. But Republika Srpska, its institutions, citizens and people have shown resilience, and we managed to get through it," Trišić Babić said.

She stressed that the focus of the Republika Srpska Office for International Cooperation should be on Republika Srpska and its position, adding that the most important thing is for Srpska to know who its true friends are.

"A few days ago, we held an activity in Banja Luka with the State of Israel, and that is proof that they are our friends. This is a task that requires calm, composure and patience. Things cannot be set in motion overnight, but I am pleased with the approach," Trišić Babić told RTRS.

She added that there had been many mysteries surrounding the Office and that, over the past seven days, the work that had been developed over several months had attracted attention not only within Republika Srpska and BiH, but also throughout the region.

Trišić Babić said the Office had submitted several position papers to the Republika Srpska Government on migration, climate change, relations and ties with the EU, cooperation with the United States and the Russian Federation, as well as with other countries.

She concluded that perceptions are changing regarding the importance of stability within Republika Srpska and the importance of Republika Srpska's stability for the stability of the entire region.