SAJIĆ: SRPSKA - ACTIVE STAKEHOLDER IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

BANJA LUKA, MAY 1 /SRNA/ – International relations expert Nina Sajić told SRNA that Republika Srpska, despite strong pressures, has become an active stakeholder influencing processes in BiH and the region, emphasizing that the strengthening of its international position is also confirmed by the current visit of SNSD leader Milorad Dodik to the United States, where he received an award from Judson University.

Sajić noted that Republika Srpska has significantly improved its international position over the past year. "We have not yet fully consolidated that international position, but a lot has truly changed. If we look back a year or more, Republika Srpska was in a rather unfavourable international environment," Sajić said in SRNA's podcast. She recalled that the position of Republika Srpska had been under constant pressure, including announcements threatening its internal autonomy. "In the past year, the leadership of Republika Srpska and all those representing it, both locally and internationally, have managed to shift that position in a positive direction. Republika Srpska is no longer just something that is talked about, but an actual stakeholder in the events and processes, influencing its own fate as well as that of BiH and the surrounding region," emphasized Sajić, who is a professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Banja Luka. She also said that Bosniak politicians should redirect the energy they spend on undermining Republika Srpska toward solving numerous problems in the FBiH. Sajić stressed that the recent visit of Donald Trump Jr. to Banja Luka should not be viewed negatively or have its significance diminished in any way. "It was the top media story in the region, and Republika Srpska was presented in a positive context, as a place where serious economic, as well as geopolitical discussions can be held. The fact that Donald Trump Jr. does not formally hold office does not mean he is not an important figure in the United States," she stressed. Sajić added that the same perspective is to Dodik's current visit to the United States, where he was presented with an award from Judson University in Illinois. "There were numerous attempts to boycott or prevent the awarding of the prize, so it can be said that the energy invested in trying to stop or undermine Republika Srpska would certainly have been more productive if directed toward positive things, such as attracting investment to the FBiH, resolving issues between Bosniaks and Croats, the Electoral Law, and other matters," she said. The new episode of the SRNA podcast, featuring Nina Sajić, professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Banja Luka and an international relations expert, will be available tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to service subscribers, as well as on social media and the YouTube channel.