TRIŠIĆ-BABIĆ: EUROPE SHOULD RECOGNIZE SRPSKA AS PARTNER

BANJA LUKA, MAY 28 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska would like to be recognized by the European institutions as a partner, acting director of the Republika Srpska Cooperation Office Ana Trišić-Babić said in Banja Luka at the first European Summit on Economy and Security organised by the Gold Institute.

Speaking on the panel "European and Transatlantic Security Architecture," she said that Republika Srpska has for years been subjected to sanctions and similar forms of pressure. "The EU and its institutions have not treated us as an equal partner, which has been evident in BiH for years, especially when there were overlaps in competencies," she said. Trišić-Babić added that as long as the EU and the Brussels administration continue to support decisions such as those made by Christian Schmidt, the Union’s relations with Republika Srpska will remain in a form of suspension. "What Schmidt did was not in line with the rule of law," Trišić-Babić stressed. Serbia's Minister for European Integration Nemanja Starović said that the fate of the country he represents, as well as others in the region, depends on decisions made by major European and global decision – Making centres. "From a common-sense perspective, our representatives should always be present and seated at the tables where decisions are made, while safeguarding their own interests. In this way, we also protect the Serb community in Kosovo and Metohija, which is among the most deprived communities in the world. What is happening there is a major stain on the international community's face, but we will keep fighting to protect the interests of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija," Starović said. He added that Serbia is also achieving significant economic successes with the goal of becoming a future EU member, while maintaining the best possible cooperation with the United States. Senior military associate at the Gold Institute for International Strategy Ernie Audino, a retired U.S. general, said that the United States and its population want the conflict in Ukraine to end and that, in his view, Europe bears considerable responsibility for it. Gold Institute associate Derk Jan Eppink also stated, among other things, that Europe is already facing numerous problems due to poor immigration policy. The first European Summit on Economy and Security, organised by the Gold Institute for International Strategy, is being held today in Banja Luka with more than 100 participants from over 20 countries.