Russia is interested in a stable, prosperous and independent Bosnia, Russian Ambassador to Bosnia, Peter Ivantsov, said on Tuesday, marking the Russia Day.
“As one of the guarantors of the Dayton Peace Agreement (which ended the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia) Russia sees its role in promoting strict adherence to the norms and principles of the Agreement, in line with the guaranteed equality of Bosnia's two entities and three constituent peoples,” Ivantsov said, adding that Russia has no intention of backing down from this position.
In his welcoming speech, Ivantsov recalled that the Russia Day symbolizes Russia's long-standing path, its achievements and victories, turning points and fateful stages, a constant movement towards new heights. He said that although Russia suffered severe temptations, it showed that it could overcome difficulties and achieve a great political, economic and social successes.
He pointed out that Russia is ready to cooperate with the whole world, which was also demonstrated by the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which brought together 19,000 business representatives from 45 countries in the world.
He emphasized that the cooperation between Russia and Bosnia is of common interest, and that nations of these countries are bound by the multicultural common history, culture and language.
“We are systematically developing cooperation with Bosnia in all areas, culture, education, and investment,” he added.
“Russia is among Bosnia's largest foreign investors and foreign trade partners,” he noted, adding that major economic operators of Zarubezhneft, Gazprom Neft, Sberbank, which are not only leading taxpayers, but also employers for thousands of Bosnia's citizens, are successfully operating in the country.
The reception was attended by Bosnia's Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik, the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska entity's Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic, Deputy Speaker of Bosnia's House of Peoples Nebojsa Radmanovic, a delegate at the House of Peoples Dusanka Majkic, Orthodox Archbishop Hrizostom, leaders of several Bosnian-Serb parties, a representative of the Jewish community in the country Jakob Finci, as well as many foreign officials.
