ITALY ONE OF KEY TRADE PARTNERS

BANJA LUKA, MARCH 12 /SRNA/ – Italy is the most important trade partner of Republika Srpska after Serbia, and there is significant potential to strengthen cooperation, particularly in industry, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure, the Minister for European Integration and International Cooperation Zlatan Klokić has stated.

"Significant business opportunities exist in agriculture and renewable energy. We are using 30 percent of our hydroelectric potential, and we also have great potential in solar energy, especially in Herzegovina," Klokić emphasized. For the Italian media, Klokić stated that mutual trade between Italy and Republika Srpska has exceeded €800 million, and that Italian investors in Republika Srpska are very successful in their operations. "Italian companies operate mainly in the textile, metallurgical, and energy sectors," Klokić said. He noted that EU integration can bring significant economic and social benefits to local citizens, but that the accession process must respect the constitutional structure of BiH defined by the Dayton Agreement, including the competencies of the entities. According to him, only such an approach can ensure stability and progress toward EU accession. "Few people in Italy know what is happening in BiH. We want to protect our jurisdiction and competencies derived from the Constitution and the Dayton Peace Accords, but we are open to cooperation with any friendly country," Klokić said. He added that relations with the United States, led by President Donald Trump, remain important for the stability and development of the Western Balkans. He also stressed that problems in BiH should be resolved through dialogue among the three constituent peoples, on which the country's long-term stability depends. Klokić noted that Republika Srpska pursues a pragmatic and balanced foreign policy, maintaining constructive relations with Russia and China, as well as with the EU and the US. "We are open to cooperation with all partners who respect the constitutional framework of BiH and the Dayton Agreement," concluded Klokić, who is visiting Italy.