A ceremonial reception on the occasion of the Day of the Republic was held in the Administrative Center of the Government of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka.

The reception, hosted by the President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, was attended by the Serb member and chairperson of the BiH Presidency, Željka Cvijanović, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, Prime Minister Radovan Višković, ministers in the Government of Srpska, representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Russian Ambassador to BiH, Igor Kalabukhov, and guests from the public, social and political life of the Republic of Srpska, BiH and Serbia.

The President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, said that Srpska had preserved itself in almost impossible conditions for Serbs and that the ultimate goal was a free Republic of Srpska.

‘A lot has been taken from us, but not our soul. I hope that we will reach the ultimate goal, which is a free Republic of Srpska’, said Dodik.

He stated that he was a daily witness to attempts to steal Serbian history and culture and to appropriate important historical figures important to the Serbian people, and added that those attempters would fail and that Serbs had no reason to be ashamed of their history and existence.

He added that Serbs would not agree to the deception of creating a civil state.

‘Let everyone have their own state and organize themselves the way they think they should live’, said Dodik.

He thanked Serbia and President Aleksandar Vučić for their support and assistance to the Republic of Srpska.

‘Thank you also, our guests from France, Slovenia, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro and others who have come to celebrate the Republic Day with us’, emphasized Dodik.

The President of the Assembly of Serbia, Vladimir Orlić, conveyed the greetings of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and all the citizens of Serbia.

‘With our actions, we show how much we love the Republic of Srpska. We fight and try to preserve what is ours and ourselves. My message for the Republic of Srpska is that we mark and celebrate this date together every year’, said Orlić.

Bishop Sergije of Bihać-Petrovac spoke on behalf of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije and conveyed the blessing of the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

‘I will greet you with the greeting Christ is born. Many happy returns of the day of the Republic of Srpska. May God protect us. Long live the Republic of Srpska and long live Serbia’, said Bishop Sergije.

On the occasion of celebration of the Republic of Srpska Day, a ceremonial parade was held in Istočno Novo Sarajevo.

The President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, extended his best wishes to the citizens and participants of the Republic Day parade.

The President of the Republic of Srpska said that the Republic of Srpska was a republic of peace, gathering and freedom, threatening no one and wishing no harm on anyone.

‘We are not a threat to anyone and we are not doing this out of spite. We just want to say that we are here, that we are ready to fight for our freedom’, said the President of the Republic.

President Dodik said that members of the Republic of Srpska Police were the ones responsible for our peaceful life, and that he was especially proud of them and grateful to them.

‘The most significant and colossal part was given by the soldiers of the Army of the Republic of Srpska, our proud army that, together with the police, defended our homes in uncertain circumstances in which the war was bringing changes every day. Many remained on the defense lines of their country’, said the President of Srpska.

The President of the Republic of Srpska said that Serbian people had never been Bosnian-Serbian, but rather Serbs entitled to their democratic expression and gatherings.

‘We allow that right to others. We stayed in BiH because we had to, because the Dayton Agreement, as the only possible act of that time, ensured not only peace but also established a new political system with Srpska as the most important factor’, said the President of the Republic.

President Dodik added that Serbian people wanted freedom and life in this republic, and that they were not asking anyone for anything.

‘We want Bosniaks to live in peace and develop, we do not want to stop any of their investments, but we will not allow them to stop our development. Do something about it and try to get used to the Republic of Srpska as a community of peace, dignity, prosperity and development’, emphasized the President of Srpska.

The President of the Republic of Srpska said that Serbs were dedicated to the Republic and respected the values of others, but also demanded to have their identity respected.

President Dodik said that the people of Srpska loved the Republic of Srpska and Serbia.

‘We are determined to stay here. Our love for Serbia is natural and normal. Only for those coming from afar and trying to tell us that we should love something else – we say that we love the Republic of Srpska and Serbia’, said the President of Srpska.

The President of the Republic of Srpska thanked all the participants of the ceremonial parade, as well as the media who could testify that this was a manifestation of unity, a display of youth, but also a display of the determined character of the Serbian people to fight and their readiness to fight for freedom on the territory of the Republic of Srpska.

‘My message is that we gather around the Republic of Srpska, without it there is no freedom, no development and no survival for us in these areas. No Serb, no Serbian politician or leader must ever allow any other form of organization than the Serbian national state in these areas, called the Republic of Srpska and Serbia, with which we have the right to integrate, connect in accordance with international law. Long live Serbia, long live the Republic of Srpska, long live Serbian people’, said President Dodik.

Source: President of the Republic of Srpska-Glas Srpske-Srna

Photo: President of the Republic of Srpska