The Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska, Zlatan Klokić, noted the importance of Serbia being a leader in the region, because that meant stability for the entire region, and thus also for the Republic of Srpska and BiH.

– We know that this area was very turbulent in a past period, but if we have strong political figures leading this area, that will mean good stability for the future – said Klokić in a collage show broadcast as a TV-reception on RTRS and RTS on the occasion of marking the Day of the Republic of Srpska and the day when the first Constitution of Srpska was adopted.

He said that the citizens of Srpska were grateful to Serbia for everything it was doing for them and that every citizen of Srpska felt very grateful to Serbia and rejoiced in its every success in any field, be it business, economy, sports, culture.

Klokić said that the Agreement on Special and Parallel Relations between Srpska and Serbia of 2007 was the basis for further elaboration of cooperation between the two republics.

According to him, that support has always been there, but it has never been more significant and concrete than in the past four to five years, as evidenced by the fact that Serbia has donated more than 70 million euros to Srpska through budget support, various projects in all cities and municipalities of Srpska and six with majority Serb population in the FBiH.

– They all received funds that were invested in various infrastructure projects, which meant better life for the citizens of the Republic of Srpska, for which we are especially grateful to Serbia and its President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, who have been providing great support to Srpska all these years – said Klokić.

Klokić said that Serbia gave more than 70 million euros to the Republic of Srpska, of which about 20 million euros to health institutions in Srpska in the fight against the coronavirus, and added that just over one hundred projects were currently being implemented in Srpska, and about 16 were in the initial stage.

Klokić said that the issues to be dealt with the most should be those that would contribute to mitigating the consequences brought by the coronavirus pandemic, not only to Srpska and Serbia, but to the overall economy in Europe and the world.

– It is important that we fight for every job in the Republic of Srpska. Some projects and significant support provided by Serbia included certain activities as start-up for young entrepreneurs, after which the Government of Srpska adopted a programme of support to economic entities, an employment programme that we are implementing through our employment fund – he said.

Klokić said that the implementation of infrastructure projects also meant a much better environment for the economy, but also a better life for citizens.

– What Serbia is also a leader in, and envied on not only by the entire region, but the whole of Europe, is the vaccination carried out by Serbia. We are looking to Serbia in that regard also and expect support, which we have received, because our health workers can be vaccinated in Serbia. Gratitude to the leadership of Serbia also for this support to Srpska – he added.

Source and photo: SRNA