DODIK: HERZOG RECOGNIZES REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AS RESPECTED PARTNER

JERUSALEM, JANUARY 26 /SRNA/ – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik has stated in Jerusalem today, that Republika Srpska maintains strong relations with Israel and expressed satisfaction that the start of their official visit was marked by a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

“The President is informed about everything happening in Republika Srpska, our actions, and our friendship toward Israel and the Jewish people. Likewise, he expresses high regard for Republika Srpska, understands the context we are in, and the challenges in BiH,” Dodik said. Dodik mentioned that Herzog was briefed on anti-Israel and anti-Jewish protests in Sarajevo, organized primarily by supporters of Hamas, which attempt to convey that the 1,250 victims killed in terrorist attacks are somehow undeserving of recognition. He highlighted that the meeting also addressed growing interest from Israeli companies in cooperating with Republika Srpska. “Soon a company producing sanitary materials will open in Gradiška, which is very positive. We already have other similar examples,” Dodik stressed for the media from Republika Srpska. Dodik also informed the President about his assessment of global security issues, particularly regarding Iran, which he identified as a primary supporter of efforts to eliminate the State of Israel and its people. “I informed President Herzog that at one point, the Iranian Embassy in BiH had over 450 employees, who were conducting espionage and establishing a subordinate network in the country, and that within the embassy a camp called Pogorelica was organized, where participants in the September 11 attacks on the USA were trained,” Dodik reminded. He emphasized that anti-Israel actions in Sarajevo also drew significant attention. Dodik added that Republika Srpska institutions will do everything in their power to ensure the Sarajevo Haggadah issue receives proper attention and is not manipulated. He noted that discussions also included the prior US designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. “We informed them that we will raise this issue in Republika Srpska and at the BiH level, joining efforts undertaken by the US, Russia, and other countries, including those in the Islamic world,” Dodik added. Dodik confirmed that representatives of Republika Srpska will act to address this issue through the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH and the National Assembly of Republika Srpska. “There were topics concerning our interests. The aim is to understand agreements between Israel, Cyprus, and Greece. We have sovereign authority regarding security and in this segment can participate in efforts to ensure a neutral and stable space,” Dodik said. Republika Srpska, Dodik added, has autonomy in shaping its own development and intends to do so with partners and friends who understand this objective.