Republika Srpska sees its road to independence in the exchange of available energy capacities with Hungary and Serbia, outgoing Serb member of Bosnia's tripartite Presidency and newly elected President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik told public broadcaster Hungarian Television.

“We produce somewhere around 35 percent of the surplus when our power plants are in full operation. We could certainly send that to Serbia and Hungary if necessary. And on the other hand, through the supply chains of Hungary and Serbia, we can use and provide oil and oil derivatives”, said Dodik, referring to the electric power production in Bosnia's Serb-majority region.

Commenting on Dodik's statement, outgoing vice President of Republika Srpska, Bosniak politician Ramiz Salkic said the relations between Dodik and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban are aimed at supporting “Milorad Dodik's separatist intentions.”

“It used to be a speculation and it has been confirmed now that Dodik will make certain energy capacities available to Hungary, and in return those in right-wing circles of the EU will lobby for his position. Dodik sees a path to independence in this, which is a real danger if the right-wing gets stronger in the EU, and it will happen if Orban convinces some more people to change their foreign policy towards BiH, which should not be doubted, considering the previous activities,” Salkic told N1.

According to Salkic, this all concerns state-owned Elektroprivreda company and oil industry, as well as anything else that can be a subject of interest for Hungary. He stressed that that some strategic agreements that do not go in favour of Bosnia and Herzegovina are “almost certainly” likely to happen.