The cooperation between Serbia and Republika Srpska (RS), the Serb-dominated part of Bosnia, has never been more intensive and so far Serbia has invested millions into infrastructure projects in the RS, Serbia’s Prime Minister said at a press conference in the southeastern town of Trebinje on Wednesday.
Speaking after a joint session between the Government of Serbia and that of the RS, one of the two semi-autonomous parts of Bosnia, and after the signing of agreements on the implementation of several joint projects between them, Serbia’s PM Ana Brnabic reminded that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also visited Trebinje and that this is “more proof that the cooperation between Serbia and the RS has never been stronger.”
“Since 2014, Serbia has invested more than 21 million Euro into projects in Republika Srpska,” Brnabic said, giving the example of the construction of a motorway, a road connection between Brod na Drini and Scepan Polje.
She said that among the numerous projects Serbia and the RS are working on together are also projects of “special importance.”
“Today we will open up the kindergarten ‘Serbia’ as well, which the state of Serbia significantly funded,” she said.
The joint government sessions are not only a formality, but they represent “proof that we have concrete projects we are working on from one session to the next,” she said.
The RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic said that there is not one sector lacking cooperation between the RS and Serbia and that the goal of these projects is to maintain common values.
She added that the session produced 16 conclusions concerning, among other things, cooperation in the sector of electric energy, traffic, tourism and the justice system.
She pointed out the importance of cooperation between them in the arms industry.
“Within the previous period we have taken a different approach toward the arms industry, which is important because this sector was stagnating. Cooperation refers to the companies ‘Kosmos’, ‘Orao’ and ‘Famos’,” she said.
Cvijanovic announced the beginning of the construction of a hydro-electric plant in Foca and Paunka producing 90 megawatts and worth 200 million Euro for September this year.
The goal is to establish road connections between the RS and Serbia, Cvijanovic said, calling upon Bosnia’s Government to enable the functioning of border crossings near the eastern town of Bratunac after the construction of the bridge ‘Bratoljub’. which was supported by Serbia, was finished.
RS and Serbia are also cooperating in tourism.
“We already began with the project of organising joint excursions for children from Republika Srpska and Serbia. We will continue bringing the children together,” she said.
She expressed gratitude for the support Serbia is giving local communities in the RS through stimulating employment and the construction of infrastructure.
