Vucic: Serbia to continue to stand firmly with Srpska

BELGRADE - Congratulating Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik on January 9, Republika Srpska Day, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia would continue to stand firmly with Srpska, regardless of the gravity of ordeals and challenges ahead.

"I extend to you my heartfelt congratulations on Republika Srpska Day, with a wish for prosperity and progress of all its citizens. The world today is on the verge of enormous, never-before-seen changes that will reshape the existing order to unimaginable proportions. In the times to come, Serbia will continue to stand firmly with Srpska, regardless of the gravity of ordeals and challenges ahead of us," Vucic wrote in a message to Dodik.

Every epoch of our nation's existence was marked by difficult times, suffering, the fight for freedom and for materialising the ideals our honourable ancestors dreamed of as visionaries, Vucic noted.

"It is those ideals of justice, peace and comprehensive progress that we are also fighting for today, investing all our know-how and efforts in building bridges of reconciliation, cooperation and a better life for the generations to come. Those who have long lost any credibility and who, still today, believe we will easily fall prey to the greed and the ruthless interests of the mighty and powerful do not understand this essence of the Serbian nation," Vucic added.

Today, our nation is among those who adhere to the principles of international law in a dignified, uncompromising and firm manner, despite all the hypocrisy of those who invoke those principles only in line with their own interests, Vucic noted.

"That is why we remain consistent in our respect of every letter of the Dayton Agreement because our word and our face are not for sale, nor are measured by transient and double standards. That is why our voice is heard loudly today and respected worldwide," Vucic also wrote.