Bosnian Serb leader about Szijjártó: 'He is a pleasant, well-meaning person, unlike the Americans, who are arrogant'

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó is meeting with the Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, on Tuesday. Dodik gave an interview to the Bosnian newspaper vijesti.ba on the occasion.

Dodik told the newspaper:

"We are at the beginning of the process of creating a community of solidarity based on the energy needs of Hungary, Serbia and the Republika Srpska. This idea was presented to us by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and we would like to participate in this project," Dodik said.

The Bosnian Serb leader also noted that Hungary has already expressed interest in specific projects and investments in Republika Srpska.

"I am happy to have another meeting with Szijjártó. He is a pleasant and well-meaning person, one you can talk to, unlike the Americans who are arrogant," he added.

After their meeting, Dodik and Szijjártó will participate in the energy summit in Trebinje, entitled "Energy Stability and Independence in the Region".

Bosnia and Herzegovina is made up of three people groups: Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs. Bosniaks and Croats would be happy to join the EU and NATO, with 69% of Bosniaks and 77% of Croats welcoming a military alliance – but only 8% of the Serbian population feel the same way. The majority of Serbs rejects a Western orientation and would essentially destabilise the current functioning of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their anti-Westernism is illustrated by the fact that their leader, Milorad Dodik, recently awarded Russian President Vladimir Putin with a medal.

Viktor Orbán and Hungary have been funding the Bosnian Serb entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hungary has been sending aid and loans to the Republika Srpska, and Prime Minister Orbán has been increasingly friendly with Dodik. The leader of the Bosnian Serbs is delighted about the Hungarian support, mostly because he has tangible economic benefits from it, plus he can say that he has a strong ally in the EU.