TARIFF NEGOTIATION LAUNCH - CREDIT TO SRPSKA AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES

SARAJEVO, JULY 31 /SRNA/ – Staša Košarac, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, told SRNA that the green light given by the Office of the United States Trade Representative to begin negotiations with BiH on customs tariffs represents a major success for Republika Srpska and its representatives at the joint level.

Košarac said this is an encouraging development and is primarily the result of the vision, political responsibility, and concrete efforts of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović. "We are proud that the institutions of Srpska and we, its representatives in joint institutions, were the initiators of the idea and activities aimed at improving bilateral, trade, and economic relations with the United States, including the conclusion of a free trade agreement and mutual regulation of customs tariffs," said Košarac. Recognizing new political realities and global shifts, Košarac emphasized that Srpska has demonstrated its willingness to strengthen ties with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, especially in the economic sphere, as this benefits the domestic economy, particularly export-oriented businesses. "Therefore, I hope that we will soon be able to begin negotiations with the U.S. on customs tariff regulation," Košarac said. He added that, unfortunately, there has been a lack of political maturity and readiness in the Federation of BiH /FBiH/ to address this issue in a timely manner. "Obstruction from the FBiH side caused certain delays, but I sincerely hope that the Federation will follow the example of Srpska so that we may accelerate the necessary processes and procedures to launch talks with the United States," Košarac concluded.