Republika Srpska, part of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), denied independence to Kosovo. This is reported by the television and radio channel of the republic RTRS.
Member of the Presidium of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) from the Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik blocked the proposal of colleagues from the Croatian and Muslim communities of the country, Zeljko Komšić and Šefik Jaferovic. They asked to recognize the independence of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. It is noted that the discussion will be submitted to the next meetings in accordance with the established procedure.
Dodik was supported by the Minister of Defense of Serbia Aleksandr Vulin. He said that if in BiH they are in favor of an independent Kosovo, then he himself is in favor of an independent Republika Srpska. “If they do not respect the integrity of Serbia and do not want to listen to the Republika Srpska, will we respect the integrity of BiH,” he stressed, addressing Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
The Republika Srpska appeared in 1992 as a self-proclaimed state, and became an integral part of BiH in 1995. The population is about 1,153,017 people.
The Republic of Kosovo is a partially recognized state on the Balkan Peninsula. The main population is Albanians. Serbia considers the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, as the region is called in the constitution, as part of its territory. Russia does not recognize the independence of Kosovo.
