Republika Srpska is marking its day! Patriarch Irinej arrived at Banja Luka, Vucic congratulated Zeljka Cvijanovic

Republika Srpska today marks 27 years of existence, and the central event will be held at the Krajina Square in Banja Luka starting at 12.00.

Putin will award Vucic with a prestigious medal: A turbulent history of Order of Alexander Nevsky, its name, looks, and symbolism kept changing

The president of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic congratulated to the president of Republika Srpska, Zeljka Cvijanovic, on the Day of RS, January 9th.

- Take my sincere congratulations on the day of St. Stefan, the Day of Republika Srpska, with best wishes for further progress. With your unwavering will to answer different challenges, as well as the persistent work to provide the citizens of Republika Srpska with prosperity, always count on the unselfish support of Serbia - Vucic said in a congratulatory note.

Foto: Tanjug/Dimitrije Goll

He added that in the name of "inseparable cultural and spiritual ties, Serbia, as a true friend and trusted partner, will always be strong support for the Republika Srpska."

- At the same time, while preserving peace and stability in the Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), you help us focus on the economic prosperity of Serbia and the implementation of joint plans. I wish everyone in the Republika Srpska good health, happiness in personal life and success in work. Long live Republika Srpska and long live Serbia - the president of Serbia said.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej will hold a holy liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Banja Luka, and the ceremony will be attended by Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and a delegation of the Serbian list led by president Goran Rakic. 

Foto: Tanjug/Zoran Žestić

Milorad Dodik, chairman of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency, said earlier that the BiH Armed Forces would not participate in the celebration on January 9th.

The RS day was created by the decision of the Serb People's Assembly of BiH on January 9, 1992, and it was internationally recognized three years later with the Dayton peace agreement, as an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Although this day is considered unconstitutional in most of the BiH, it is treated as a non-working day for all employees in the Republika Srprska and in the Federation of BiH, or state institutions of BiH. Citizens of Srpska stated that they unequivocally support the RS to celebrate this day on a referendum held on September 25, 2016.

(Telegraf.co.uk)