SACHS: I AM OPTIMISTIC THE GLOBAL SITUATION CAN IMPROVE

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 27 /SRNA/ - One of the world's best-known economists, Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs, said today in Banja Luka that he was optimistic about the prospects for improving the global situation, stressing the importance of dialogue and better understanding among world leaders in easing international tensions.

Following a meeting with senior Republika Srpska officials, Sachs said he was very pleased to be back in Banja Luka, a city and region he has been visiting for 40 years, thanked his hosts for the invitation and said he was particularly honored to be receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Banja Luka tomorrow. "I want to thank you for the excellent exchange of views we have just had. I learn a great deal every time, and I truly appreciate it," Sachs stressed. He said the global situation could improve significantly with better understanding and dialogue among world leaders. "What gives me hope is the very good meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. That is a very constructive approach to easing tensions around the world", Sachs said. He also pointed to the recent meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia and Germany as a positive example, stressing that the world needs more dialogue and less confrontation. "If people in Brazil, Washington, Berlin and elsewhere could achieve better understanding, we could have a much better situation", Sachs argued. The meeting at the Republika Srpska Government headquarters was attended by Prime Minister Savo Minić, Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović and President Milorad Dodik. Also present were Minister of Finance and Treasury in the Council of Ministers Srđan Amidžić, Republika Srpska Interior Minister Željko Budimir, acting Director of the Office for International Cooperation Ana Trišić Babić and acting Rector of the University of Banja Luka Ranko Škrbić.