Milorad Dodik, the President of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska (RS) entity, said on Tuesday after the meeting with the Montenegrin Prime Minister, Andrija Manduc, in Podgorica, he offered the institutions of Montenegro an agreement on special ties, modelled on the agreement with Serbia, as well as their engagement in the disputed Buk Bijela hydroelectric power plant.

“According to the Dayton Agreement, the Republika Srpska has the right to an agreement on special ties with its neighbours, and Montenegro undoubtedly is that, and that's why I offered an agreement to the institutions of Montenegro modelled on what we have with Serbia. Those from Sarajevo will be clamouring for this,” Dodik said.

He pointed out that he supports Montenegro's commitment to the EU, pointing out that Republika Srpska is also in favour of that path.

“I am here to support the peace, stability and development of Montenegro. I am here to support her commitment to the EU. We offer Montenegro to join the megaproject of the Buk Bijela hydroelectric power plant construction,” said Dodik.

He added that if there is an effort to return Montenegro to that project, there is a willingness to accept it, stating that no one will produce electricity except for hydroelectric power plants, thermal power plants, solar power plants and wind farms.

The RS President added that the project does not creep and sink waters in Montenegro, but rather wishes to continue it in cooperation with Serbia, which is the majority owner of the project.

The Buk Bijela hydroelectric power plant is controversial because Milorad Dodik tried to realize it outside the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project was blocked and returned to the procedure through state institutions.