TRNINIĆ: SUPPORT FROM RUSSIAN FRIENDS TO REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AND THE SERB PEOPLE

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 9 /SRNA/ - Friends of Republika Srpska in Russia are well informed about the current situation in BiH and support the Serb people and Republika Srpska, Aleksandar Trninić, a member of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, told SRNA.

Following the meeting of the Commission for Cooperation between the National Assembly of Republika Srpska and the State Duma of the Russian Federation in Moscow, Trninić expressed gratitude to the Russian Federation and its President, Vladimir Putin, for their support of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.

"The trial of Dodik is not just a trial against him, but a trial against the entire Serb people in BiH and Republika Srpska, because through this trial, foreign lobbies aim to abolish Republika Srpska, seize the property of the Serb people, and turn BiH into a unitary state. I’m glad that politicians and friends in Russia understand this and support our survival," said Trninić.

He added that during the meeting, it was emphasized that cooperation needs to be enhanced in the areas of economy, energy, trade, and transportation.

Trninić emphasized that there are plans to strengthen cooperation in four areas of transportation: rail, air, road, and cargo transport.

He noted that at the moment, there are many challenges due to the sanctions imposed on both the Russian Federation and Republika Srpska.

“We hope that in the coming period we will find solutions to all these problems that are currently holding us back, and that economic cooperation will further strengthen our traditionally good relations with the Russian Federation,” Trninić said.

National Assembly member Siniša Mijatović stated that, thanks to the excellent cooperation between Republika Srpska and Russia, citizens of Republika Srpska and BiH enjoy the lowest gas prices in Europe, which represents a major benefit for the economy.

“A favorable tax policy for investors from the Russian Federation in Republika Srpska should be yet another reason to enter our market. The fact that the profit tax rate is 10 percent could be a key factor in attracting Russian investors,” Mijatović noted.

National Assembly member Maja Dragojević Stojić stated that education and healthcare were also discussed, emphasizing that cooperation with the Russian Federation includes student exchanges, university partnerships, and various programs that could be further enhanced.

She said that the importance of cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry was also emphasized.

"We believe that cooperation with the Russian Federation is important for Republika Srpska and its future, and we are grateful to our hosts for the warm welcome," said Stojić.

The Commission for Cooperation between the Republika Srpska National Assembly and the State Duma of the Russian Federation was established as a result of the Cooperation Agreement signed in March 2024 by the Speaker of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, and the Speaker of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, Nenad Stevandić.