ĆETKOVIĆ: DODIK'S VISIT IMPORTANT, RUSSIA WILL NOT ABANDON SERBS

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 4 /SRNA/ – The Head of the Republika Srpska Representative Office in Germany, Mićo Ćetković, says that the important meeting between the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, and the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, confirms the historic friendship between the two peoples and, among other things, indicates that Russia will not abandon the Serbs in BiH.

Ćetković told SRNA that the narratives about the so-called "malign Russian influence" in BiH are baseless, as Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, but respects them in every sense. "Russia has always advocated for the strict respect of the Dayton Peace Agreement, including the position of Republika Srpska within that peace accord. Russia is one of its guarantors," Ćetković emphasized. He noted that no one should be bothered by the fraternal relations between Serbs and Russians, as they are not something new. Ćetković says it is good that the situation and problems in BiH will be discussed at the international level, specifically at the UN Security Council session on October 31. "It will become clear at that session that those who unjustly accuse Russia of interference in BiH’s internal affairs are in fact the ones interfering. They do so through various negative activities, by changing the Constitution, and by handing down judgments against legitimately, legally, and democratically elected representatives, such as the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik," Ćetković pointed out. He has added that Serbs in Germany are concerned about the injustice being done to Republika Srpska and its legitimately elected representatives within BiH. "They are concerned, but they fully support our representatives," Ćetković concluded. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, in Sochi on the sidelines of the Valdai forum.