Bosnian Serb Presidency member Milorad Dodik congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin's birthday, wishing him good health, happiness and success in all fields.

“Your Excellency, Honourable President, it is my great honour and pleasure to wish you a happy birthday, good health, much happiness and success in life, both privately and professionally,” Dodik said.

The Bosnian Serb leader wished the Russian President many new victories and achievements for the well-being of Russia and its people's future.

“I take this opportunity to express great gratitude to you and friendly Russia for the help and support you give us, as well as for the efforts you make to maintain peace and stability in the world and equality of all peoples,” he said.

Milorad Dodik, who is also the leader of the strongest Serb party in the country and its Serb-dominated semi-autonomous Republika Srpska entity, is a known pro-Russian politician in the region.

He often visits Russia to meet with Putin and other top Russian officials, where he lobbies for their support to the RS and in return, he frequently speaks in favour of Russia and defends its policies and interests in the region.

Speaking to N1, in late January 2019, he said that Putin thinks of him as a good guy.

But “Putin is not my mentor in any sense,” he stated. “He is the president of a friendly country, and I share some of his views,” Dodik told N1.

In his congratulatory message, Bosnia's tripartite Presidency member confirmed his determination to continue working together on the strengthening of ties between the brotherly peoples and the improvement of cooperation in all fields.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is celebrating his 67th birthday on October 7. He was born in Sankt Petersbourg in 1952.