MEETINGS PROMOTE UNITY AND BETTER COOPERATION

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 8 /SRNA/ – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik said after meeting with Banja Luka Bishop Željko Majić on the occasion of Easter that it is important for holidays to be celebrated in the spirit of Christianity, and that cooperation should continue in a spirit of faith and tolerance.

"We will strive to do everything to resolve outstanding issues. I would like to express my satisfaction and extend Easter greetings celebrated within the Catholic community, and to say that I am glad that the peaceful atmosphere in Republika Srpska has made it possible for the holiday to be celebrated as it should be, within the family and in line with what Christianity teaches," Dodik told reporters in Banja Luka.

One of the issues to be resolved in the coming period is the property of the Marija Zvijezda monastery, and Dodik stressed that the solution is to build a new hospital.

"The Government has formed a commission. We plan to relocate hospital capacities and return the monastery to the Catholic Church. We will try to resolve property-legal relations and demonstrate our intentions and goodwill as soon as possible to complete this. The alternative is constructing a new hospital and returning the monastery property. We will strive to complete this as soon as possible," Dodik stressed.

He added that everything must be done to ensure that believers can access religious facilities without obstacles, noting that an issue of this kind in Novi Grad will also be resolved.

Banja Luka Bishop Željko Majić said that meetings with Dodik are a tradition for major holidays, noting that after exchanging greetings they discussed life in Banja Luka and the resolution of various issues.

"We also expressed satisfaction, thank God, because we live with one another and not side by side. These meetings contribute to unity, better cooperation, and closer ties between the people and both churches. We will continue our talks in trust to resolve all open issues. We hope we are on the right path," Majić said.