KARAN: REPUBLIKA SRPSKA-ST. PETERSBURG TIES REFLECT FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN SERBIAN AND RUSSIAN PEOPLES

BANJA LUKA, MAY 12 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan has said tonight that cooperation between Srpska and St. Petersburg is, in essence, cooperation between the Serbian and Russian peoples.

Addressing a ceremonial reception in Banja Luka marking the Day of St. Petersburg in Republika Srpska, organized by the Government of St. Petersburg, Karan said the event is proof of friendship between the Serbian and Russian peoples and of the desire to further strengthen cooperation.

"This reception is precisely proof of that friendship and our shared desire for Republika Srpska and St. Petersburg to establish even stronger cooperation", Karan stressed.

He expressed honor and satisfaction at attending the reception hosted by the Government of St. Petersburg.

"This is an opportunity to once again confirm that our strategic relations with the Russian Federation are based on mutual respect, understanding and sincere friendship", Karan said.

Karan reminded of numerous implemented projects and high-level meetings that, as he said, confirm a strong commitment to further improving cooperation.

"Next year we will mark 20 years of our cooperation - the longest cooperation we have with anyone. We will create a new project to elevate our cooperation to an even higher level", Karan stated.

He noted that cooperation with St. Petersburg has so far reached the highest level in the fields of culture, healthcare, education, science and economy.

"That cooperation has resulted in cooperation between all our institutions, our people and our two nations", Karan pointed out.

The Chairperson of the St. Petersburg Committee for External Relations Yevgeny Grigoriev, the host of the reception, said in his remarks that Serbs from Republika Srpska and Serbia, and Russians, share and preserve the same faith.

"We understand you completely, and we understand each other", Grigoriev said.

He said that relations between Serbs and Russians are historical and have led to the evening's event and cooperation.

"We have managed to preserve our faith and soul and we continue to move forward. There can be many words and few deeds. We are happy in that regard. Our President Vladimir Putin has done a lot. I thank our friend, respected comrade, Milorad Dodik", Grigoriev said.

The ceremonial reception, organized at the headquarters of the Government of Republika Srpska in Banja Luka, was attended by ministers of the Republika Srpska Government, Chairperson of the Council of Peoples Srebrenka Golić, Vice President of the National Assembly Anja Ljubojević, members of the Republika Srpska parliament, and numerous guests.