09.01.2025.
Minister Gašić attends ceremonial parade in Banja Luka marking Republika Srpska Day
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended a ceremonial parade held today on Krajina Square in Banja Luka to mark Republika Srpska Day - January 9.
The parade was attended by the Serb member and chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović, speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (RS) Nenad Stevandić, Prime Minister of RS Radovan Višković, Serbian and RS government ministers, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, representatives of Serbian and RS institutions, and a number of public figures and citizens.Minister Gašić said it was a great honour for him to attend the Republika Srpska Day celebrations in Banja Luka with six generals from the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces and emphasized that “the unity of the people living on both sides of the Drina has always been of great importance”.
- Whenever the Serbs were united, they always emerged victorious and that is why we are here today to celebrate the birthday of Republika Srpska together. During these festive days, we are showing that Serbia is eternal and that this year's Republic Day slogan "Born for Eternity" was rightly chosen. We will forever keep what our ancestors left us. May Serbia and Srpska live forever - Minister Gašić said.The ceremonial parade commenced with presenting the report to the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Radovan Višković. More than 3000 participants took part in the parade – colour guard, 14 police echelons, eight motorized Ministry of the Interior echelons and 55 civilian echelons.
After the parade, Minister of the Interior Siniša Karan - the envoy of RS President Milorad Dodik, congratulated everyone on Republika Srpska Day and greeted those present on behalf of President Dodik. He said that “the people guided by courage, heroism and eternal pursuit of justice have gathered tonight to honour Republika Srpska”.- We have gathered to commemorate the day when it was founded and proclaimed. Today we celebrate our statehood, feeling profound gratitude to all the heroes who participated in the defence of Republika Srpska, and especially to those who remained on eternal guard. Glory to you and thank you - said Karan, emphasizing that Serbs and freedom are forever linked, they cannot exist without each other and that our nation has a rich freedom-loving tradition.
Addressing the audience, Deputy Prime Minister and Republika Srpska senator Aleksandar Vulin congratulated everyone on Republika Srpska Day and said that "Srpska was not created by the will of foreigners, it was not given to us, but is the fruit of the struggle of the Serbian people, wherever they may live”.Today, a delegation comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces attended the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy officiated by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Banja Luka. Yesterday, the delegation attended an event in the Borik Sports Hall and a reception in the Government Administrative Centre in Banja Luka, which were organized as part of Republika Srpska Day celebrations.
