Belarus is always ready to provide assistance and support to Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik in Minsk on 19 February, BelTA has learned.

“I have read about your work in Belarus during your visit. I welcome your work here. You should know that if something in Belarus suits you in terms of technology, agriculture, industry, or healthcare, we are always happy to help and support you,” the Belarusian leader said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus was closely monitoring the situation in the Balkans. "You know my attitude well, including all the cases and issues that exist as well as the events that took place in Yugoslavia, when it was simply divided into pieces. You know my position, my attitude towards you in the most difficult times. I mean Serbia, when it was bombed,” the head of state said. “We know that you sometimes have difficult times there, but you stay strong. We welcome this. Only courage and fortitude and strength can determine the future of any country, region, district, or territory today. I think that you are holding firm there, representing the interests of Orthodox people and people who trust and believe in you. We are on your side in this respect. You can count on us. In short, you have come to see your friends.”

As BelTA reported earlier, Milorad Dodik is on a working visit in Belarus on 17-19 February. The agenda of the visit is busy, including a number of meetings and negotiations, visits to a number of industrial enterprises, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center of Surgery and Transplantology. The major focus of the visit is on the development of bilateral trade ties, building up cooperation in industry, healthcare, science and education, expansion of the bilateral legal framework.

Written by belta.by