DODIK: PRESERVE PEACE, STABILITY AND IDENTITY OF SERB PEOPLE

BANJA LUKA, JANUARY 2 /SRNA/ – SNSD President Milorad Dodik said it is important to preserve peace, stability and the identity of the Serb people and to continue the prosperity of Republika Srpska.

Following a meeting with His Eminence Metropolitan of Banja Luka Jefrem, Dodik stressed the importance of showing commitment to the Serbian Orthodox Church /SOC/, which has preserved the identity of the Serb people.

"The Serb people are gathered around the Serbian Orthodox Church and the key events of our history," Dodik told reporters in Banja Luka.

He recalled that during Ottoman rule in this region it was impossible to preserve the identity of the Serb people except through the activities of the Serbian Orthodox Church and ancestors who did not abandon the Serbian faith.

"In today's time, we have no right to give up our identity, not for ourselves, but for those who will live in this area. Only the successful transmission of national values ensures the longevity of our society," Dodik said.

He assessed that the authorities in Republika Srpska have proven resilient and highly flexible, pointing to severe pressures on the Serb identity, which has nevertheless been preserved.

Dodik said that the authorities of Republika Srpska support the activities of the Serbian Orthodox Church and other religious communities in Srpska.

He added that work will continue on providing logistical conditions to allow the Serbian Orthodox Church to operate without obstacles, noting that it plays a very important role in society in terms of stability.

Dodik said the authorities of Republika Srpska support the construction of facilities necessary for the work of the Serbian Orthodox Church, expressing confidence that intensive work will continue on completing the Russian-Serbian Center and the church in Banja Luka, as well as finishing churches under construction in many locations.

"We agreed that much greater attention should be devoted to preschool education, and that where conditions allow, kindergartens should be built alongside churches so that the Church can play a role in the upbringing of children," Dodik added.

He thanked Metropolitan Jefrem for discussing all important issues and relations between Republika Srpska and the Serbian Orthodox Church with him ahead of the upcoming major Orthodox holiday, Christmas.

Dodik extended New Year's and upcoming Christmas greetings to all people in Republika Srpska, using the traditional Orthodox greeting: "Peace of God, Christ is born!"