SRPSKA'S SOLID PARTNERSHIPS WITH INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS

BUDAPEST, NOVEMBER 26 /SRNA/ – SNSD President Milorad Dodik stated that Republika Srpska continues to strengthen its relations with international friends, including Hungary, with which it shares joint positions regarding the Brussels administration.

Dodik said he understands Budapest's position, as Brussels has been blocking project funding for a year, and emphasized that Republika Srpska must question what it can gain from the EU if such things are done to Hungary, a sovereign member of both the European Union and NATO. He noted that Brussels has also halted projects in Republika Srpska. Dodik assessed that part of the Brussels administration aims to complicate the position of the current Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, particularly with elections scheduled in Hungary in April. "Brussels, which should act as an association, is beginning to impose policies on its member countries, which is unacceptable. This is yet another erosion of European values. They said the EU should be a community that protects sovereignty and avoids interference in internal affairs, but that is no longer happening. The halt in project funding in Hungary has lasted a year and is a political decision," Dodik told reporters in Budapest after his meeting with Orbán. He said that Republika Srpska supports Hungary and is satisfied with the positions of the Hungarian Prime Minister and government, both on European issues and on developments in Ukraine. Dodik added that Orbán has consistently shown the best assessments within the EU regarding both the situation in Ukraine and US elections. "Orbán even supported [US President Donald] Trump before the elections. At the time, that was considered heresy, and many were outraged - this may have partially contributed to the project funding halt. But politics is about assessment, projection, and ultimately risk," Dodik said. He expressed confidence that Budapest could host a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which would also be a satisfaction for Srpska, as he perceives Hungary's capital as very positive. "Of course, we also cooperate with the US, because different leaders are in power now. Our success lies in being heard and reaching certain agreements with them. These agreements are not against anyone. Why would lifting sanctions be bad for the Bosniaks? It offends their pride. Why is it bad for the opposition? Because their only chance to transfer power is for an external actor to intervene and remove the current structure—that is their hope," Dodik emphasized. He added that Republika Srpska has invested in good relations with the Trump administration, just as it has with Orbán.