A central event was held in Banja Luka today to celebrate January 9 as the Day of the Republika Srpska, a date that the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared unconstitutional in two rulings. Despite the verdicts of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the warnings of domestic and international officials, the authorities of Republika Srpska celebrated this date as in previous years.
The highest award, the Order of Republika Srpska on a necklace, was awarded to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which will be presented to him in February during his visit to Banja Luka. The President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik said at the awarding ceremony to deserving individuals and institutions that Republika Srpska accepts Bosnia and Herzegovina within the constitutional framework.
MILORAD DODIK, President of the Republika Srpska
“We want to continue to preserve and develop the Republika Srpska in peace and to provide that peace to everyone and for the Republika Srpska to continue its path. The Republika Srpska accepts Bosnia and Herzegovina within the constitutional framework, but we do not accept the unconstitutional BiH”.
Among others, professor Nenad Kecmanović, academician Matija Bećković and Serbian Minister of Health Danica Grujicić received the Order of the Republika Srpska flag.
DANICA GRUJIČIĆ, Minister of Health of Serbia
“Someone thought that they could ban the celebration of the Day of the Republika Srpska. Then that someone does not know who the Serbian people are. What is more natural than that someone comes to the feast of Saint Stephen, the first feast we celebrate after Christmas”.
SAVO CRNOGORČIĆ, award winner
“I plan to continue with competitions, to progress as much as possible and enter a university in our Republic”.
The commemoration of January 9 as the Day of the Republika Srpska, a date that the Constitutional Court has declared unconstitutional on two occasions, began with a holy bishop’s liturgy in the Church of Christ the Saviour, which was officiated by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije. The Patriarch said that the Republika Srpska is an expression of the desire of the Serbian people to live in freedom, justice and peace with everyone.
Serbian Patriarch PORFIRIJE
“We have the joy and blessing to be able to congratulate the birthday of Republika Srpska, but what is more important is the glory”.
A session of the Senate of the Republika Srpska was also held, after which the President of the Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik spoke with the Russian ambassador Igor Kalabuhov, whom he thanked for his support. Dodik once again lashed out at the American ambassador in Bosnia and Herzegovina, telling him that he is not welcome in Republika Srpska.
