Bosnian Serb leader favors broader contacts with St. Petersburg

ROME. June 6 (Interfax) - Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has spoken in favor of advancing cooperation in the education area with St. Petersburg.

"Our cooperation is developing in all spheres, Russian specialists often come to the University Clinical Center of Republika Srpska, where an exchange of best practices takes place. Everyone has a chance to train someone," the RTRS television channel quoted Dodik as saying while taking part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

"It's important for students of all ages from Republika Srpska to be able to visit St. Petersburg," he said.

"At this forum, we can see Russia's progress while it's facing extremely tough Western sanctions. The very understanding of the fact that its economy is growing shows that Russia is capable of handling any challenges," Dodik said.

He said he looked forward to St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov's visit to Republika Srpska by the end of the year.