Trump Ex-Adviser to Host Economic Summit in Bosnian Serb Entity

The Gold Institute for International Strategy, led by retired US General Michael Flynn, has announced the 'First Annual Economic Summit Europe 2026' will be held in Banja Luka, the main city of Bosnia's Serb entity, in May.

Flynn, who served as Donald Trump's national security advisor for just over three weeks in 2017, is currently working as a paid lobbyist for the authorities in Republika Srpska, with a contract worth around $100,000 per month, according to US records.

The Gold Institute website states that the event will offer 'fresh insights and practical solutions to familiar and imminent problems on the world stage', although the program and participants have not yet been announced.

Documents from the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) registry state that Flynn is engaged to provide 'strategic advice and analysis' and to work to improve political relations between Republika Srpska and the US.

His engagement also includes 'connecting with decision-makers and influential actors in Washington'. Flynn, described as a 'Christian nationalist', has stated that the goal of his work is to 'represent [Republika Srpska’s] views in the United States'.

Recently, Flynn was in Banja Luka, where a lecture he gave was broadcast live by RTRS, the public broadcaster of Republika Srpska.

A comment by Flynn, stating that 'Islam is not a religion, but a political ideology', caused controversy in the country.

After resigning in 2017, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about Russian interference in the previous year's presidential election, but later withdrew his guilty plea and Trump pardoned him in 2020.

Subsequently, Flynn sued the US Justice Department and recently received a financial settlement.

Flynn's family name has been in the news in Bosnia recently, as media outlets reported that AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, a company linked to his brother, Joseph, has been selected by the government of Bosnia's Federation entity as the main concessionaire for the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline project.

The pipeline aims to connect Bosnia to a Croatian LNG terminal and reduce reliance on Russian gas.

Republika Srpska authorities have so far declined to comment on the holding of the Economic Summit Europe 2026 in Banja Luka.

The summit, organized by the Gold Institute, aims to offer 'fresh insights and practical solutions' to global problems.

However, the specific program and participants have not been announced, creating uncertainty about the event's content and impact.

The choice of Banja Luka as the venue and Flynn's involvement, with his political connections and past controversies, add significant context to the summit.