The Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska, Zlatan Klokić, said that there was a noted growth of interest in investing in energy in Srpska and BiH, especially in solar power plants and other renewable energy sources.

Klokić also said that a German company was planning to invest 50 million euros in Prnjavor and employ 800 workers, and that signing of a memorandum of understanding to define mutual obligations was planned in April between the Republic of Srpska Government, the company and city representatives.

He pointed out that BiH level should consider joining the Open Balkan initiative because of the great benefits for the member countries, and expressed the hope that Sarajevo politicians would have flair for BiH becoming part of this regional project.

‘The Open Balkan initiative certainly brings a faster flow of goods and people, which should facilitate economic development. The fact is that foreign trade volume between the member countries has increased, and it is natural for BiH to be part of this regional initiative’, said Klokić.

He added that it was planned to hold a conference of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative which would introduce the Republic of Srpska internationally.

Klokić said that establishment of ministerial conferences within the coordination mechanism could be expected in the coming period and pointed out that the Republic of Srpska was readily awaiting that process.

‘We will endeavor to prepare an action plan to address the 14 key priorities and eight conditions set by the European Commission after granting the candidate status’, emphasized Klokić.

He noted that BiH’s European path did not depend only on the Republic of Srpska, but also on other levels of government, and emphasized that Srpska would continue to fulfill all its obligations.

Klokić said that the Republic of Srpska had been under continuous pressures all these years, and that international pressures had reflected on one hundred days of work of the Government of Srpska.

He stated that previously the pressures had been exerted by imposing decisions of high representatives, and today through the Constitutional Court of BiH, which still included three foreigners, even though the 14 priorities for BiH relevant for joining the EU noted the need to change this.

Regarding the work of Srpska representative offices abroad, Klokić said that a team had been appointed at the beginning of January to analyze their work.

‘We had interviews with all the heads of representative offices, requested more information to be able to brief the Government of Srpska about all their activities, and at the next government session we will apprise our colleagues of what is needed to improve their work’, said Klokić.

Source: Srna

Photo: Republic of Srpska Government