Republika Srpska President Hopes for Putin’s Visit to Region’s Capital

Having discussed with Vladimir Putin cooperation between Republika Srpska and Russia at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), region's leader Milorad Dodik said he woul like the Russian president to visit the autonomous republic.

BELGRADE (Sputnik) – President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik told Sputnik on Monday that he hoped for Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit the region’s capital of Banja Luka.

"At one point, as I have told President Putin, we would like him to visit Banja Luka," Dodik said following his recent conversation with the Russian leader on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) where they discussed the development of cooperation.

Republika Srpska is one of the two autonomous entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the other is the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their relations are strained because of the civil war among Serbs, Bosnian Muslims and Croatians in 1992-1995.

The 21st annual SPIEF, held last week, is a major global platform for business representatives where crucial economic issues are discussed. The Sputnik news agency was an official media partner of the forum.