BUDIMIR: SRPSKA IS PLEDGE OF ITS HEROES

BANJA LUKA, JANUARY 9 /SRNA/ – The Minister of the Interior of Republika Srpska Željko Budimir has stressed today in Banja Luka that it must never be forgotten that Republika Srpska is a pledge left by the heroes who created and defended it.

"In front of you today marched Republika Srpska and the heroes who defended it. Veterans marched, as well as students of the Secondary School of Internal Affairs," Budimir said at the ceremonial parade marking Republika Srpska Day.

He stressed that it was no coincidence that Republika Srpska was created on the third day after Christmas.

"Do not think this was by chance. We are one of the last peoples in Europe in whom Christ is born every year. That is why Republika Srpska was born on the third day after Christmas – it was God’s providence," Budimir pointed out.

He reminded that 26,000 heroes gave their lives in the defense of Republika Srpska, adding that after peace was achieved there was hope that the Dayton BiH could be a fair framework for the Serb people.

"From 1995 to the present, we have been under constant attack, which is why 2025 was difficult and challenging. They attacked the President of Republika Srpska, who is a symbol of its unity, but we had Milorad Dodik, who knew how to carry that kind of historical burden," Budimir stressed.

He emphasized that the homeland must be loved in order to be preserved.

"Republika Srpska will be ours only if we love it and fight for it. This is a time of major changes in global politics, and we have no choice but to fight. Every day of Republika Srpska’s existence is a great victory, because there are constant attempts to destroy it. All these years are years of strength of Republika Srpska, which we love and which is a refuge for our people," Budimir said.

He congratulated all participants on the successful organization of the parade.