On the second day of the official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, President Ivanov, in Banja Luka, met with the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, which once again confirmed the friendly relations and stressed the need to intensify economic cooperation.

President Ivanov, at the meeting, was informed of the internal political and economic situation in the Republika Srpska and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the talks, Dodik said that Republika Srpska nurtures friendly relations with the Republic of Macedonia and praised the increase of the economic activity of the Macedonian companies bidding in Republika Srpska. Mutual was the conclusion that the economic cooperation should be promoted, and the presence of the construction company “Granit” is considered a good start.

The President of Republika Srpska informed President Ivanov of the planned investment projects and invited the Macedonian companies for participation. The Macedonian President stressed the need for signing of an agreement on double taxation evasion in order to promote economic cooperation.

President Ivanov and Dodik exchanged views on the situation in the region, and the Macedonian President stressed that greater infrastructure and energy connectivity, as well as the EU and NATO integration will contribute to lasting stability and prosperity in the Balkans.

President Ivanov met with representatives of the Association of Macedonians in Banja Luka, who were visited for the first time by a Macedonian president. Ivanov held talks with them and underlined that he is happy to see among them many successful people, loyal to the country they live in and at the same time nurture the links with their homeland.

“In the past we lived together and we expect the future to reunite us. That is the reason why we are paying diligent attention to Europe”, President Ivanov said.

The Macedonian President announced that through the programs and projects of the Ministries of Education and Culture, the Macedonian Associations will be assisted.
Macedonian community in Banja Luka, according to certain surveys, is consisted of about 500 persons, but their number will be known after the census in Bosnia and Herzegovina, scheduled for the next year.

Macedonians in Banja Luka say that they are respected among their fellow citizens in Republika Srpska, but they lack greater support by the Republic of Macedonia. They especially rejoice cultural manifestations which, as they say, help maintain the Macedonian spirit.

During the visit to Banja Luka, President Ivanov met with the President of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, Igor Radojcic.