Republika Srpska, the Serb-dominated area of Bosnia-Herzegovina, has signed a 110 million-euro ($117 million) loan with the Export-Import Bank of Hungary to finance its budget and refinance some other debt. "The signing of the loan will enable the smooth execution of all obligations and the realization of the planned policy of the Government of the Republika Srpska," the entity's Ministry of Finance told RFE/RL's Balkan Service on December 19. The 10-year loan, with a fixed interest rate of 5 percent, comes from a Hungarian state-controlled bank that has been accused of financing friends of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been a supporter of Republika Srpska leader Milorad Dodik. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Balkan Service, click here.
Republika Srpska Signs Loan Agreement With Hungary's State EXIM Bank
