The Day of the Republic of Srpska was celebrated in Stuttgart, Germany. The Representative Office of the Republic of Srpska in this country was the first to celebrate 9 January outside the territory of the Republic of Srpska. The message from this year’s celebration reiterated that Srpska encouraged our people living abroad to maintain a permanent connection with their homeland, to invest and stay there whenever they had the opportunity.

Traditionally, the Serb diaspora also marks 9 January, the Day of the Republic, at the Stuttgart Representation of Srpska. Hundreds of people from this area gather at this event. They include representatives of the political life of Srpska who say that this celebration symbolizes unity.

The Minister of Energy and Mining of the Republic of Srpska, Petar Đokić, said that the gathering of a large number of Serbs living in this part of Germany symbolized the unity of the Serbian people and those holding the idea of Srpska particularly dear, as felt in every contact with the people living there.

– That is why it is necessary to come here and encourage our people to gather on this occasion and continue the wonderful tradition of celebrating the Republic Day, which was started by the Representation of Srpska – said Đokić.

He added that the people living in Germany should be brought closer to the values underlying the Republic of Srpska, strengthened their belief that they supported Srpska with the activities available to them.

Such events are important also to convey to young people the values of national identity – the alphabet, religion, customs, culture and history, and to establish connections with successful business people originating from Srpska.

The Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation, Zlatan Klokić, expressed his satisfaction with celebrating the Republic of Srpska Day with Serbs in Stuttgart.

– By celebrating the Republic Day, we celebrate the birth of the Republic of Srpska, and in doing that we do not offend or attack anyone, but we will not allow any disputing of the fact that Srpska was created on 9 January 1992 – added Klokić.

The Chairwoman of the Council of Peoples of Srpska, Srebrenka Golić, said that many German nationals who had expressed interest in investing in Srpska were attending the ceremony in Stuttgart on the occasion of the Republic of Srpska Day.

Golić said that the German nationals were mainly interested in how to start economic activities in Srpska, what were the requirements, and how to obtain the necessary permits.

She stated that a large plant was expected to open soon in Srpska, with the investor a German national, who had learned about the legislation in Srpska.

Golić expressed her satisfaction that the celebration organized by the Stuttgart Representation of Srpska was attended by a huge number of businessmen from Srpska temporarily living and operating in Germany ‘side by side with German businessmen’.

The marking of the Republic Day was preceded by a celebration of Saint Sava in the Serbian Saints Church in Stuttgart. It was organized in cooperation with the Consulate of Serbia and children attending supplementary classes in the Serbian language.

Celebrating the Republic Day in Stuttgart is also important for meeting young and promising people who were born and educated in Germany and have roots in our territory. As was pointed out, with their knowledge they can help the development of the Republic of Srpska.

Source: RTRS

Photo: Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation