It is time to free Bosnia and Herzegovina from elements of external control so that it could become an independent and sovereign state, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after his talks with President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik.

"We think it to be a topical, if not an overdue, task to free Bosnia and Herzegovina from elements of external control so that it could become an independent and sovereign state that decides its future by itself," he said.

"Russia is firmly committed to the Dayton Accords and stands against any attempts to revise them," he stressed. "Reforms are possible only upon agreement between the two equal entities and all the three constitutional peoples [in Bosnia and Herzegovina]."

Russia hopes Gazprom’s project for a joint venture to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be successfully implemented, Lavrov said.

"Gazprom has been supplying Russian gas to Republika Srpska for many years," he noted. "Last December, Gazprom signed an agreement with the local Gas-Res company to set up a joint venture that will build an LNG plant near the city of Zvornik. We hope this liquefied natural gas will be in demand not only in Republika Srpska but in neighboring countries as well."

The Russian top diplomat thanked the leaders of Republika Srpska "for the unfailing support to Russian companies" operating in the region.

According to Lavrov, Russia and Republika Srpska are set to develop bilateral contacts in all spheres. "Growing trade stems from our exchanges, including from expanded exports of fruits and vegetables to Russia," he noted. "Today, we spoke in detail about how to swiftly settle problems and begin meat and dairy exports to Russia."