There are no differences between Serbs living in Bosnia and those living in Serbia, the Serbian President and the Serb member of Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency said in the central town of Mrkonjic Grad on Wednesday as they revealed that Serbia has secured 600,000 Bosnian Marks for the local Gymnasium and the Mechanical Engineering School.

“There is nothing more beautiful for me than seeing how much you love Serbia. As much as you love Serbia, we love Republika Srpska,” Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic told the crowd, referring to the Serb-majority semi-autonomous entity within the country.

“There are no differences between a Serb from Pirot and a Serb in Mrkonjic Grad, we belong to the same people, we share the same fate. We belong to the same Church. We Serbs are not known for being too religious, but our Church did not only protect spirituality, our church is the Serbian Church, and our people must not be eradicated. Our people are not ashamed of their Serb name,” he said.

Vucic also thanked Bosnian Serb Presidency member Milorad Dodik for showing up at the event since the Bosnian Serb leader’s father died the previous evening.

Dodik said that only those with bad intentions could perceive Vucic’s visit as a bad thing.

“We are no Bosnian Serbs, we must remain united as a people as we are now in our intention to affirm our rights, without endangering anyone else,” Dodik said.

“Long live Republika Srpska, long live Serbia and may the Serbian Orthodox Church remain and live forever,” he added.

Vucic said Serbia will continue investing in the infrastructure in Republika Srpska and work toward creating more jobs in Mrkonjic Grad.

“Mrkonjic Grad will remember this visit for a long time. This is a sign of our unity and cooperation. We are together, I thank all institutions which cooperate well and work for the benefit of our people,” said RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic.