DODIK: US ADMINISTRATION AWARE OF SUPPORT FROM REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 8 /SRNA/ – SNSD Organizational Secretary Igor Dodik has stated that the administration of the US president is aware of the support coming from Republika Srpska and that talks with Donald Trump Jr. in Banja Luka will open the door to new investors and new jobs.

Dodik stressed that the visit of Donald Trump Jr. to Republika Srpska is very important and that the policy of supporting the US president has proven correct since his first term, noting that it was the vision of President Milorad Dodik, who had called on Serbs in the United States to support Trump. "They are aware of all of this in the US - the cap and the photo from Banja Luka when Trump’s victory was celebrated. We spoke at length about everything, and personal contact was crucial," Dodik said. He stated that economic topics were the focus of talks with Donald Trump Jr., which will open the door for new investors and the creation of new jobs. "We are facing obstructions from Sarajevo regarding hydropower plants, a huge potential. As Trump Jr. also said, all of this should be utilized, and I hope that with their help we will obtain the necessary approvals," Dodik told RTRS. He emphasized that Republika Srpska can offer investors security in doing business and low taxes, adding that the intention was also to send a message that Republika Srpska seeks peace that comes with investment. He stressed that the people of Republika Srpska will yet feel all the positive effects of cooperation with the United States and other countries. "We want to open Republika Srpska to the world as much as possible, to reduce the number of young people leaving and to encourage them to return here after completing their studies," Dodik said. He added that Donald Trump Jr. told him during their conversation that Republika Srpska is a beautiful place, but that he regretted that people had to wait in the streets due to security protocols. Igor Dodik explained that the US Secret Service required maximum security, as members of the family do not leave the United States at this time. "We also spoke with him about hunting, specifically Prime Minister Savo Minić, who is also the president of the Hunting Association. He was invited and said he would come to hunt with Savo," Dodik said. He also referred to the upcoming elections in Hungary, stating that a victory by Viktor Orbán is very important for Republika Srpska, as, he said, the European elite wants to bring him down. "It is not in their interest for those forces that advocate values we also respect and promote to win," Dodik pointed out. He reminded that Republika Srpska has excellent relations with other countries around the world and in the region, including the Russian Federation. "President Milorad Dodik will travel on May 9. We have good relations with China and Israel, and we also have good regional relations," Dodik mentioned. He pointed out that Republika Srpska and its leadership were under sanctions from the previous US administration, and that there was a lack of understanding, which caused numerous problems.