The Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, Savo Minić, spoke yesterday in Banja Luka with a delegation of the Serbian Government led by Prime Minister Đuro Macut.

Prime Minister Minić said that today’s meeting had summarized the cooperation between the Republic of Srpska and Serbia to date, and specified further steps in continuing the cooperation on implementing priority projects, including infrastructure projects.

‘We will continue activities related to the implementation of a number of joint projects in the economy, culture, science, recognition of licenses, formation of science and culture working groups, and Srpska’s participation in Serbian science funds,’ said Prime Minister Minić.

He emphasized particularly that the meeting had also discussed the formation of the Republic of Srpska-Serbia educational and scientific consortiums.

‘The Drina is the backbone of our people. We are one people and we want to integrate in every sense. We have the same language, culture and tradition,’ stated Minić.

Prime Minister Minić said that the key project was the construction of the Banja Luka-Belgrade highway and emphasized that completion of the section to the Brodac interchange by October would be a major breakthrough.

‘The construction of this highway was agreed between Presidents Milorad Dodik and Aleksandar Vučić. We discussed the construction of all sections, the Brodac interchange, contractual obligations and property relations,’ said Prime Minister Minić at a press conference after the meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut.

He said that Macut had been informed about the regulations governing property relations on sections of the highway.

Minić noted that the meeting had also discussed railways, namely the railway section from Višegrad to Mokra Gora and Užice.

‘We agreed to have a meeting of the prime ministers and ministers who are part of the railways working group in July,’ said Prime Minister Minić.

Regarding Trebinje Airport, Minić stated that 50 percent of the land expropriation had been completed, that there were some ongoing court proceedings, and that efforts were being made at the BiH level to resolve the adoption of a decision on the registration of this airport.

‘We also discussed the Expo, which is exceptional for the development of this region. The Republic of Srpska will have maximum participation. Concerning air transport, Srpska’s Government is ready to contribute financially to ensure more flights from Banja Luka to Belgrade as soon as possible,’ said Prime Minister Minić.

Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut said that today’s meeting had discussed establishing funds in Serbia for cooperation within the consortium of scientists from Serbia and Srpska, which would raise the level of cooperation in the field of science.

‘I hope for the establishment of even better ties. This is a common scientific space within our community,’ said Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut.

He announced forming of a working group to deal with science and higher education.

‘We also discussed expanding cultural ties. This is one of the good moments to show that Višegrad and the Andrić Institute can serve as a basis for launching the Andrić Days, or rather, a gathering on the Drina, a river that unites the Serbian people from both sides,’ said Prime Minister Macut.

He pointed out that the meeting had also discussed the continuation of infrastructure projects, especially road infrastructure, and the opening of tenders and the completion of documentation for the rehabilitation of the Mokra Gora-Višegrad railway route.

‘In addition, flights are also important in terms of transport,’ said Prime Minister Macut.

He expressed hope that the monthly meetings of representatives of the governments of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska would contribute to faster implementation of the agreed joint projects.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Srpska, Zoran Stevanović, the Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Draga Mastilović, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Aleksandra Sofronijević, Minister of Science and Technological Development and Innovation Béla Bálint and Minister without Portfolio Đorđe Milićević.

Source and photo: Republic of Srpska Government