SRPSKA FOR ADVANCING COOPERATION WITH HUNGARY IN ENERGY AND MINING

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 28 /SRNA/ – Hungarian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Levente Magyar stated that he and Republika Srpska's Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Đokić discussed in a meeting in Banja Luka the possibility of cooperation between Hungary and Republika Srpska in the fields of energy, the construction of small nuclear power plants, solar energy, wind farms, and financial support for the construction of hydroelectric plants.

"These will be multi-year projects if the governments of Republika Srpska and Hungary support their implementation. These projects will bring technological development if implemented," Magyar told the press in Banja Luka. He emphasized that every visit to Banja Luka confirms the friendship between Hungarians and Serbs and expressed confidence that the energy projects will be implemented, thanks to changes in American policy toward Republika Srpska. Magyar highlighted that a significant advancement is the recent improvement in the international and political position of Republika Srpska, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump contributed to a relaxation of Western politicians' approach toward Srpska. "The West has taken a unanimous stance regarding the constitutional position of Republika Srpska in BiH. Republika Srpska and Hungary have taken steps to improve relations toward Republika Srpska. The results are already visible, and more signals will follow," Magyar said. Đokić states that Republika Srpska is committed to enhancing cooperation with Hungary in energy and mining. After the meeting with Magyar, Đokić told journalists that Republika Srpska and Hungary could jointly work on projects in wind, solar, and hydro energy. He mentioned specific energy projects, including the Hrgud wind farm, where the Republika Srpska Power Industry holds the concession, noting that a partnership with Hungary would be desirable. "I also offered to continue activities on the construction of the Trebinje One and Trebinje Two solar power plants. Our goal is for immediate partners to be the Republika Srpska Power Industry and Hungary, which would designate its own partner," Đokić said. He emphasized that for the first time, the possibility of joining a nuclear power plant project in Republika Srpska was mentioned, noting that Hungary has prior experience in implementing such projects, and that partners could also come from outside Srpska and Hungary. Đokić explained that building a nuclear power plant is a much more complex process compared to constructing wind, solar, and hydro plants, and highlighted that such a facility would bring multiple benefits to both Republika Srpska and Hungary. Đokić said that in the field of mining, projects related to rare minerals that could be exploited in the future are mentioned, noting that discussions on this topic should continue. Đokić thanked Magyar for visiting Republika Srpska, which is a result of last year’s signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the governments of Srpska and Hungary. He also thanked Hungary and its Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for supporting Republika Srpska in protecting its political integrity and for contributing to the consistent implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement through this policy. The meeting was also attended by the Hungarian Ambassador to BiH Krisztian Posa and his associates.