Dodik announced: We will organize a referendum on the independence of RS and annexation to Serbia

(Patria) - The President of RS, Milorad Dodik, is staying in Russia where he is attending the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, and a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin has also been announced. Dodik gave an interview to Russian media, where he announced a referendum on the independence of RS from Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also a possible annexation to Serbia.

The Republika Srpska could join Serbia after its future secession from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dodik told TASS.

“Yes, it would most likely be natural, absolutely historically justified, for countries where the majority of the population is Serbian to unite into a single structure and community, but that is a task for future generations and political decisions of both countries,” he said in an interview with TASS on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

Dodik cited the example of the unification of East and West Germany, in which “the German people lived freely” and constituted the majority. “Then, of course, they united in an absolutely historically justified way,” he added.

He also said that relations among Serbs today “show that they want to live freely and constitute a majority in RS”.

“In RS, the majority of Serbs live among peoples who also live freely [in its territory]. Likewise, today in Serbia, Serbs constitute the majority of the country's population,” said Dodik.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) will be held from June 5 to 8. This year's theme will be ‘Forming New Growth Areas as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World’. Planned events include meetings for small and medium-sized enterprises, creative industries, SPIEF Youth Day, as well as forums on drug security, SPIEF Academy, and SPIEF Junior. SPIEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation, and TASS is the information partner of the event.