Hungary Pledged Support to Dodik: Whatever Happens to You Concerns Us Too, We Are No Longer Observers

(Patria) - Today we are here in Banja Luka to show and prove our support for the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, against whom a political witch hunt is underway, as well as to show solidarity with all citizens of RS, and indeed the whole of BiH, because the West still treats BiH as its province where it can do whatever it wants, stated the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Levente Magyar, at a press conference after a meeting with the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik.

Magyar emphasized that "BiH is a country that has suffered a lot in the past".

“We are witnessing the West supporting a brutal conflict in Ukraine, and in the Western Balkans, they are supporting and encouraging certain directions that could again lead to war events. This is a sovereign country, not a province, and we should remember history and how BiH fared when foreign policies tried to fulfill their interests".

"The West always decides about Eastern Europe without knowing and understanding history. What the West is doing with Serbs in BiH is not right because it cannot treat this country as an enemy, nor RS and Dodik as enemies. The Serbian people are a proud people and should not tolerate this. Our relations are such that we truly support you, and Serbia supports you", stated Magyar.

He said that Hungary is close, only 70 kilometers away.

"Whatever happens to you concerns us too, as we are practically neighbors. The time when Hungary was merely an observer of events in the Balkans is over; we have opted for a policy of understanding and oppose the West's intentions. The way the Western world treats this country is unacceptable. We want to confirm our support to you, and regardless of what happens in BiH, we will honor that support to you and to the peoples of BiH", said Magyar.

Milorad Dodik stated that Western policy has so far been on the side of Bosniak-Muslim interests in BiH.

"A line has been drawn. RS has passed laws, RS will probably send a new Constitution of RS for public debate on Wednesday. Hungarians are here with us, and they understand European trends better than we do. Thank you for the political support", said Dodik.

Dodik recalled that the Government of the Federation of BiH recently visited Hungary and that he is pleased with any form of cooperation between the Federation of BiH and Hungary, and that he has nothing against it.

He also spoke about the cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of RS and the Hungarian police.

"An agreement on this has existed for two years. Those from Sarajevo did not notice when the Ministry of Internal Affairs of RS went there. The Hungarian police have their plans and did not want to cancel because there was a verdict. The next exercise is agreed to take place in Hungary. This is within the scope of our competencies. We are not doing this to cause any inconvenience to anyone. Everything took place in the area designated for exercises. It was important to me that our Hungarian friends were well received; as for the exercise itself, it is not for me to evaluate, the commanders evaluate that", said Dodik.