The Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Austria organized a ceremonial reception in Vienna last evening on the occasion of 28 February – the day of promulgation of the first Constitution of the Republic of Srpska.

The attendees were addressed by the President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, minister without portfolio in charge of coordinating activities and measures in the field of relations between the Republic of Serbia and the diaspora Đorđe Milićević, and Head of the Republic of Srpska Representation in Austria Mladen Filipović.

‘The Republic of Srpska was not created out of spite, but out of necessity. Every year on these dates, we celebrate the signing of the first Constitution of the Republic of Srpska all over the world. It is an honor and a pleasure for me to be here this evening,’ said President Dodik.

Mladen Filipović, Head of Srpska’s Representation in Austria, says that many guests have gathered in Vienna.

– We have the opportunity to host many guests, including the President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik. We want to send a message of unity. We have a large number of guest diplomats, our church representatives, and all our communities from Austria. We are united again, we are sending a message of peace, we are defending our own. The celebration of the Constitution Day is very important for our people, both in the Republic of Srpska and Serbia, but also for our people in the diaspora – said Mladen Filipović, Head of Srpska’s Representation in Vienna.

‘Cooperation with the Republic of Austria is our shared goal. The Representation remains committed to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Austria, and support on this path comes from our diaspora, which is very committed to promoting the potential of the Republic of Srpska and supports actively our institutions,’ said Filipović.

The reception took place in the Albert Hall in Vienna, and gathered representatives of institutions from the Republic of Srpska and Serbia, diplomatic corps, representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and leadership of Serbian clubs and associations in Austria, as well as other distinguished guests.

Among the attendees at the ceremony were the Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation in the Government of the Republic of Srpska Zlatan Klokić, Serbian Ambassador to Austria Marko Blagojević, BiH Ambassador to Austria Siniša Bencun, Serbian Ambassador to the OSCE Žarko Obradović, high-ranking officials of embassies and diplomatic representatives of Russia, Belarus, Brazil and several other European countries.

The Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska, Zlatan Klokić, thanked the Representation of the Republic of Srpska in Austria for traditionally organizing in Vienna the celebration of the Republic Day and the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the first Constitution of the Republic of Srpska.

– It is important that we have gathered in order to send a message of unity and that we shall continue to nurture our identity, tradition and culture, while supporting peace and stability. With such gatherings, we support the institutions of the Republic of Srpska and Serbia, which we need today more than ever – said Klokić.

The anthems of the Republic of Srpska and Serbia and several traditional songs were performed by the musical ensemble and choir of the Beli anđeo (White Angel) Association from Banja Luka.

Source: Republic of Srpska Representative Office in the Republic of Austria – RTRS

Photo: Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation