Dodik in Belgrade: Republika Srpska has no benefit from BiH, we live imposed idealisms

BELGRADE, (Patria) - All talks in Brussels were going in that direction, that the influence of the situation with Kosovo should not be transferred to BiH. I said that it is impossible and the public perceives it in a very clear way. Simply, Republika Srpska believes that there is no visible benefit in BiH. We are here to live some idealisms that were imposed on us from the outside,” BiH Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik told reporters in Belgrade after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. 

“The best framework for the development of multi-ethnic relations was Yugoslavia. That Yugoslavia is gone and was destroyed. Today, with divisions that are more visible, we are trying to build a country with no cohesive elements. I tried to explain this in the EU as well, that BiH aims to join the EU, but that BiH cannot be viewed solely through the realization and support of individual rights, while collective rights remain in history,” said Dodik, N1 reports.

RTRS reports that after the meeting with the Serbian President, Dodik stated that the cooperation between Serbia and Republika Srpska has never been better, after which he expressed satisfaction that it was agreed today to start the construction of the Kuzmin - Bijeljina highway at the beginning of the year.

“My call is to move away from daily political topics and focus on important issues. We must not be naive. We accepted the story of the integration of self-proclaimed Kosovo and Albania with apprehension. In Brussels, the story of applying such a right to Republika Srpska and Serbia was skillfully avoided,” added Dodik.

He emphasized that there are different views on Kosovo within the BiH Presidency, but his stance, as he says, is to follow Serbia's position and that it is very important for all key factors to gather to resolve the Kosovo issue.

After the meeting, Vučić pointed out that he informed the BiH Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik about everything that is happening in Serbia, especially about Kosovo, and primarily about Pristina's taxes.

According to him, they also discussed the current situation in BiH and new projects.

“I received all the necessary information about the situation in BiH and Republika Srpska. We discussed the cooperation that we are intensively continuing. Our trade exchange has reached its peak, and Serbia is the primary foreign trade partner of Republika Srpska, as well as BiH,” added the Serbian President, RTRS reports.

Vučić also mentioned projects to be implemented in the coming period – the construction of the highway from Bijeljina to Kuzmin, which would connect to the Belgrade-Sarajevo highway. He expressed hope that he and Dodik will open the works by mid-June.

“By June 1, the documentation will be completed. By the end or middle of June, let’s start this project in terms of construction,” said Vučić.

“People in BiH must understand that Serbia is an unavoidable factor in the region. Serbia would choose and support all projects offered by the Federation, but there are no such projects,” said Dodik, RTS reports.