DODIK: NETANYAHU CONFIRMS ISRAEL'S PARTNERSHIP WITH REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

TEL AVIV, SEPTEMBER 17 /SRNA/ – President Milorad Dodik said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed at a meeting in Jerusalem today that Republika Srpska could count on Israel as a partner.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed that he would do everything possible to establish a framework for cooperation with Republika Srpska that will guide our relations in the years ahead," Dodik told reporters in Tel Aviv. Dodik said the meeting focused on finalizing earlier agreements on economic and cultural cooperation, as well as the transfer of new technologies in agriculture. "The meeting confirmed that Republika Srpska and Israel put the interests of their people, the state and freedom first. The guarantee of that freedom is a strong community, strong institutions, government and borders," Dodik said. He said Republika Srpska must place its national interests at the center of its policies, just as Israel does. "We must focus on defending our security, and Israel is a world leader in protecting its people and state. We must work together to counter any espionage or malicious intentions imposed on us from different sides in an effort to undermine our security," Dodik said. He pointed out that Israel was under constant pressure not only from countries in the region, but also from Britain and EU member states, which he accused of being inclined to interfere in Israel's internal affairs. "That is unacceptable," Dodik said. The Republika Srpska delegation visiting Israel, led by Dodik, also included acting Director of the Republika Srpska Office for International Cooperation Ana Trišić Babić and Republika Srpska Interior Minister Željko Budimir.