DODIK: SERBS WILL NOT ALLOW LOSING A SINGLE CENTIMETER OF SRPSKA

VIŠEGRAD, SEPTEMBER 21 /SRNA/ – President Milorad Dodik has said today in Višegrad that Serbs will not allow losing a single centimeter of Republika Srpska, stressing that restoring everything that belongs to them under the Dayton Peace Agreement is what Serbs want.

"Our people have always fought for freedom here; there is no freedom if you do not fight for it. If you fight for freedom, you fight for yourself, for your people, for your identity, for everything that makes up our language, our alphabet, our culture, and our relationships among people," Dodik said at a ceremonial gathering marking Višegrad’s Municipal Day and patron saint's day - he Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos/Mala Gospojina.

Dodik stressed that Serbs do not want any conflict in this region, but that restoring everything that belongs to them under the Dayton Peace Agreement is what Serbs want.

"Everything that was taken from us through the shameful interventions of the High Representatives and through certain other ambitions that we have witnessed will have to be restored. Everything the High Representatives have done must be declared null and void, and the three constituent peoples here must be given the opportunity to reach an agreement," Dodik said.

He says he believes an agreement is possible, but that mutual respect is necessary rather than hiding behind great powers that have brought a great deal of unrest to this region.

"We Serbs will not allow losing Republika Srpska. We Serbs will not allow losing Višegrad. We Serbs will not allow losing a single centimeter of our Srpska. We will not lose our memory and remembrance. We will not lose our future either," Dodik said.

Speaking about Višegrad, Dodik said it was a special community whose significance throughout history had extended far beyond the local level.

He said he was proud to have had the opportunity to participate, together with Emir Kusturica, in the construction of Andrićgrad, noting that the project had significantly marked Višegrad's recent history.

"It was neither simple nor easy; it was challenging, but Emir did not give up, nor did I, with his support and the support of all the local people here," Dodik said.

Dodik also emphasized the importance of the Višegrad Hydroelectric Power Plant, stressing that its results should be directed as much as possible toward local development.

He said that more than 450,000 people visit Višegrad annually and that everything should be done to encourage tourists to stay longer, including developing spa tourism, bringing thermal water into the town, and completing the hotel.

"We must do everything we can to get them to stay another day or two, simply to show them the spa and everything else, to bring thermal water into the town and develop it, and finally to complete this hotel," Dodik said.

Dodik congratulated Višegrad residents on Municipal Day and the patron saint’s day, and said he would continue working for the development of the local community.

"May you live long and in good health. Long live Republika Srpska! Long live Serbia!" Dodik said.