KALABUKHOV: RUSSIA QUALIFIES RELATIONS WITH REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AS STRATEGIC

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 31 /SRNA/ – The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to BiH, Igor Kalabukhov, told SRNA that Russia qualifies its relations with Republika Srpska as strategic, as they are being developed in various spheres, expressing gratitude to President Milorad Dodik for his efforts to advance bilateral relations.

"This is evident through the numerous meetings he has had with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Recently, he was in Minsk, where he spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov," the Russian ambassador emphasized. He added that the overall leadership of Republika Srpska, ministers and many others, also make a great contribution to the development of relations between Srpska and Russia. "Despite various difficulties and pressures, we see a strong desire to further develop relations in all areas. In conversations with ordinary people in Republika Srpska, I have seen that they have the best and most genuine relations with Russia, with Russian cities, which is a great potential we must make use of," Kalabukhov stressed. When asked how to unblock the Eastern Gas Interconnection, which has been blocked in the BiH Presidency by the Bosniak member, Ambassador Kalabukhov told SRNA that Russia has nothing against the so-called diversification, but that it must serve the people. "Russia has always been a reliable partner in gas supply. There are contracts between Gazprom and companies in BiH and the Federation of BiH, everything is moving in a good direction. But the danger comes from those who blame Russia while at the same time undermining BiH's energy security through decisions banning the transport of Russian gas," Kalabukhov stressed. He sees the way out of this situation in creating more opportunities for the import of Russian gas into BiH, since this is an energy source with a strong future that does not harm the environment. "As for certain market conditions, we are ready to offer our capacities, but only if these superficial accusations about Russia's so-called `malignant influence` stop. We have no intention of using gas as a weapon, as the United States sometimes does, occasionally even the EU," Kalabukhov emphasized. He says Russia is ready to cooperate constructively and in a mutually beneficial way for all sides.