DODIK: STRATEGIC COOPERATION BETWEEN SRPSKA AND RUSSIA

BANJA LUKA, FEBRUARY 13 /SRNA/ - SNSD president Milorad Dodik emphasized today in Banja Luka that Republika Srpska has a strategic level of cooperation with Russia.

Dodik stressed that Republika Srpska wants to further strengthen and maintain this cooperation. “We coordinate many of our policies. We support Russia in its efforts to protect its state and people. We believe that the special military operation was provoked and, from Russia’s perspective, was necessary to ensure the security of the state and its people,” Dodik said after presenting the Order of the Flag of Republika Srpska with a golden wreath to the healthcare institution Saint Petersburg Clinical Scientific and Practical Center for Specialized Types of Medical Care “N.P. Napalkov.” He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to present this high recognition on behalf of Republika Srpska, which had been awarded last year on Vidovdan /St. Vitus' Day/. “First of all, this is an expression of gratitude to the institute, the hospital I visited, and the people who work there - to the director and to everyone who fights for human lives every day. This recognition is dedicated to them,” Dodik emphasized. He added that the fraternal and humane treatment shown to patients from Republika Srpska cannot be forgotten. Dodik thanked Russia and its leadership for their attitude toward Republika Srpska. “I take this opportunity to thank Russia and its President Vladimir Putin for the support, understanding, and cooperation we have, which we hope will continue. I also want to thank Saint Petersburg, which has always welcomed and supported us and helped as much as it could,” Dodik said. He reminded that at no point, despite strong pressures, has Republika Srpska agreed to impose sanctions on Russia. “We have never allowed the hysteria we witnessed in the West, especially in Europe, to make us lose our dignity or call into question our historical cooperation,” Dodik pointed out. The deputy director of the Napalkov Oncology Center, Vitaliy Egorenkov, expressed his gratitude for the awarded order and the great honor he received. “We value your friendship and are always ready to offer mutual assistance. We wish that God protects your homeland and all of you,” Egorenkov said. He also wished Republika Srpska a happy Sretenje /Candlemass/. The ceremony was attended by the Acting President of Republika Srpska, Ana Trišić Babić, Prime Minister Savo Minić, ministers in the Government of Republika Srpska, His Grace, the Bishop of Marca, Sava, as well as guests from Republika Srpska and Russia.