KOVAČEVIĆ: THE INTERNATIONAL POSITION OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER

BANJA LUKA, MARCH 23 /SRNA/ - The international position of Republika Srpska has never been better in its history, which is the result of the work of the current authorities, said Radovan Kovačević, Serb delegate in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

"There was vision, persistence, and strong, quality work by President Milorad Dodik, Željka Cvijanović, Ana Trišić-Babić, and others who contributed to this," Kovačević said. He emphasized that the authorities have steadfastly defended the position of Republika Srpska despite various pressures, noting that Dodik bore the greatest burden. Kovačević pointed out that the opposition had previously claimed the current government was isolating Republika Srpska, but that the situation has changed, with sanctions lifted and significant meetings held in the U.S. Congress. He recalled that Dodik had important meetings at the White House, as well as with Israeli leadership, including the president, prime minister, and foreign minister, describing these as the highest-level state visits. Kovačević also noted that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán recently said that no European leader could have withstood what Dodik endured, including U.S. sanctions, pressure from Germany, and political tensions from Sarajevo. He stressed that Republika Srpska has not damaged its relations with Russia or other partners and maintains clear political positions. "Few countries and leaders in the world have such a level of relations with both the United States and Russia, as well as Israel and certain EU countries," Kovačević said during a TV debate on RTRS with Nebojša Vukanović, leader of the 'Justice and Order' list. Speaking about lobbying in the United States, Kovačević said Republika Srpska has officially registered contracts there, emphasizing that this is standard practice for serious states and not misuse of funds. He added that he always stands on the side of Republika Srpska and expressed disbelief that anyone in the entity could support Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whom he accused of sending mujahideen who committed crimes against Serbs. Kovačević assessed that Vukanović serves as a political tool used by opponents to attack Republika Srpska. "We have always found institutional ways to defend Republika Srpska, to preserve it, strengthen it, and improve the quality of life within it," Kovačević concluded.