REPUBLIKA SRPSKA DEMONTRATES SUSTAINABILITY AND HISTORICAL JUSTIFICATION

BELGRADE, JANUARY 8 /SRNA/ - The Minister of Family Care and Demography of Serbia Milica Đurđević-Stamenkovski has stated for SRNA that Republika Srpska, regardless of attempted identity challenge and abolishment of its jurisdiction over the past 33 years, has demonstrated the sustainability of its institution and the historical justification of its existence.

"This is, first of all, the result of the people's perseverance and will to defend and preserve their homes," emphasized Đurđević-Stamenkovski. She stated that January 9, the birthday of Republika Srpska, is one of the youngest and most beautiful Serb national holidays. "It lives today as a symbol of the Serb people’s national struggle in general, so as such it does not only represent the anniversary of Srpska creation. On January 9, we celebrate the great national victory of the Serbs at the end of the 20th century," Đurđević-Stamenkovski emphasized. She reminded that in the first decade of the last century there was the Austro-Hungarian annexation of BiH, and in the last decade the establishment of the Republic of Serbs within BiH took place. "This long-awaited, hard-earned and expensive victory of the Serb people marks the realization of our centuries-old aspirations," said Đurđević-Stamenkovski. She reminds that January 9 is celebrated this year under the slogan "Born for Eternity". "This important date unites the history we are proud of and the future we are committed to," said Đurđević-Stamenkovski. In this regard, she recalled that the conclusions of the Pan-Serbian Assembly recognize the marking of January 9 as part of the Serb national identity and a factor in strengthening and connecting the Serb community on both sides of the Drina. "The role of the State of Serbia as a legal and political guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement - and therefore of the existence of Republika Srpska - was also emphasized. It is an honor for me to welcome and celebrate the Day of Republika Srpska in Banja Luka together with the people on both sides of the Drina," Đurđević-Stamenkovski told SRNA. Republika Srpska is celebrating 33rd anniversary, and this year's Republic Day slogan is "Born for Eternity". The ninth of January is celebrated as the Day of Republika Srpska because on that date in 1992, the Republic of the Serb People in BiH was established under this original name. Srpska was founded by Serb deputies in the then Assembly of BiH after they were outvoted in key issues about the survival of Yugoslavia, while the members of the other two peoples started secession against Serbs' will, who had the status of a constituent people.