SAJIĆ: SRPSKA - AN ACTIVE ACTOR IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

BANJA LUKA, MAY 2 /SRNA/ - International relations expert Nina Sajić told Srna that over the past year, Republika Srpska has significantly improved its international position, transforming from an entity under strong pressure into an active participant influencing processes in BiH and the region.

"We have not yet fully consolidated our international position, but a great deal has genuinely changed. If we look back a year or more, Republika Srpska was in a rather unfavorable international environment," Sajić said in SRNA's podcast. She recalled that Republika Srpska's position had been under constant pressure, including announcements threatening its internal autonomy. "Over the past year, the leaders of Republika Srpska and all those who represented it, both domestically and internationally, have managed to shift that position in a positive direction. Republika Srpska is no longer merely something people talk about, but a real actor in events and processes that influences its own destiny, as well as the destiny of BiH and the surrounding region," emphasized Sajić, who is a professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Banja Luka. THE ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH AMERICA Speaking about key changes, Sajić pointed to improved relations with the United States. "Of course, this did not happen overnight, but the importance of relations with the U.S. is enormous, and we can see that from the lifting of sanctions on officials of Republika Srpska, as well as on certain not only physical but also legal entities," Sajić said. She noted that this was followed by the visit of the son of U.S. President Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., to Banja Luka, along with numerous foreign officials and investors. Sajić pointed out that visits to Republika Srpska by representatives of international organizations and embassies have intensified, and that this is also noticeable within the academic community. "Not only are they coming, but everyone was eagerly waiting for this thawing of relations with Republika Srpska so they could begin with their projects, programs, and strengthening of cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally," Sajić stated. According to her, relations with Israel are also a significant factor in strengthening Republika Srpska's position. "Of course, our position has also been reinforced by good relations with Israel. In the past year, there have been several high-level visits to the State of Israel," Sajić emphasized. She recalled the continuity of those relations, which have been steadily improved. "These relations were built during the time when BiH was a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, when, thanks to the positions of Republika Srpska, certain resolutions and initiatives were blocked. Republika Srpska's partners in Israel do not forget that," Sajić said. Speaking about Republika Srpska's diplomatic activities, she stressed that this is a long-term process and that in the past there were discussions that were not always public. She particularly emphasized the significance of changes in the U.S. administration. "Definitely, that change in the U.S. administration was seen as something beneficial for Republika Srpska," Sajić said. DISINTEGRATION OF INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN BIH AND THE BALKANS She stated that the new U.S. approach implies a different relationship toward the region. "The United States under Donald Trump's leadership does not intend to spread democracy in the way his predecessors did, but is instead prepared to create new partnerships," Sajić emphasized. According to her, all of this contributes to reducing external influence in BiH. "It was important to recognize the significance of reduced interventionism within BiH and the Balkans. New currents have emerged advocating a policy that peoples living in countries such as BiH should decide their own destiny. Of course, this does not mean that the OHR will close tomorrow, but there is gradually movement toward a kind of disintegration of international presence in BiH and the Balkans," Sajić stated. She recalled that SNSD leader Milorad Dodik fully and consistently supported Trump in his presidential campaigns, adding that it is natural for that kind of support and understanding to be recognized in concrete U.S. activities in this region.