The Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council discussed bilateral collaboration with Speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Nenad Stevandic.
Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev had a meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Nenad Stevandic, who is in Moscow for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Great Victory.
Konstantin Kosachev regards the visit by Republika Srpska delegation led by President Milorad Dodik to Moscow for 9 May celebrations as important. “This date is marked both in Russia and elsewhere. We have it in common. We are sincerely grateful to the people of Republika Srpska for 9 May being Victory Day in your country as well,” he said, adding that almost thirty foreign delegations would arrive in Moscow for the day.
According to the Deputy Speaker, participating in the Red Square parade and other events demonstrates an attitude to the common history of World War II, the Great Patriotic War, and our common Victory. “The majority of countries in Europe cannot share it with us, because they either holed up or fought on the side of the Nazis against the anti-Hitler coalition. They have no Day of Victory over Nazism, but they would have been left without Europe if the Victory had not been won,” Konstantin Kosachev stressed.
He noted that Immortal Regiment processions involving leaders of the Republic were still popular in Banja Luka on Victory Day. “The Victory theme unites us not only on festive days but also every time we have a chance to discuss our common history.”
Nenad Stevandic stressed that 9 May was a date celebrated by the entire humankind. According to him, the Serbs and the Russians remain on the side of the facts and historical truth.
Nenad Stevandic gave details of the current developments in and around Republika Srpska, describing “high representative” Christian Schmidt’s conduct towards the leaders of Republika Srpska as a violation of the Dayton Agreements.
The officials also discussed bilateral collaboration, including at the level of parliaments. Konstantin Kosachev said that inter-parliamentary interaction organically complemented trust-based political ties and offered new broad opportunities for expanded cooperation.
The two officials also called for the further strengthening of bilateral economic, cultural and humanitarian ties.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Lyudmila Skakovskaya.