Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik met in Banja Luka Friday to mark “Sretenje”, the Statehood Day of Serbia, in a joint ceremony that symbolized growing ties between Serbia and Republika Srpska.

The two leaders attended the flag-raising ceremony in front of the Republika Srpska Palace, where a plaque was unveiled stating that the presidents of Republika Srpska entity and Serbia were raising the “flags of Serbian unity” to commemorate Sretenje—marking the first time the day was jointly observed in Banja Luka.

Despite the symbolic nature of the event, it is important to note that Republika Srpska is not a state and therefore does not have an official statehood day. However, this idea has been strongly supported by Serbia under Vucic, particularly following the All-Serb Assembly in June 2024.

Dodik praises cooperation, highlights Serbian support

Both Dodik and Vucic addressed the media following the ceremony. Dodik opened by praising the strong cooperation between Serbia and Republika Srpska, stating that the relationship has never been stronger.

“Since Aleksandar Vucic took office, Serbia's support for Republika Srpska has been real and significant. His assistance came at a crucial time when many international actors were trying to weaken Republika Srpska. We discussed ongoing projects, such as the construction of the Bijeljina-Praca road and Serbia's investment in the bridge over the Sava River. We have built numerous bridges and roads together,” Dodik said.

He emphasized that these projects will continue, adding:

“We will keep working on joint projects and collaborating on all issues. Serbia has never hesitated to help us. I am deeply grateful to Vucic for ensuring Serbia’s presence in these initiatives. Over the past ten years, we have commemorated many significant events together, and this year is particularly important due to key anniversaries.”
Dodik also used the occasion to inform Vucic about what he described as violations of the Dayton Agreement.

“Brussels’ administration has ignored agreements, even though Serbia is a guarantor of the ‘Dayton Peace Agreement’. We will continue fighting for our rights. It is evident that in earlier stages, they used the U.S. ambassador, and now they are using the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to target anyone who opposes them. The situation is becoming unbearable, and we will react actively. We are only asking for our rights. If it is impossible to live under the letter of Dayton, then everything else—this imposed structure—is unacceptable to us.

We must work together to stabilize peace, but to do that, we need interlocutors from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We don’t have them because they are engaged in gossip politics. Serbia stands behind Republika Srpska, and I thank Vucic for his visit,” Dodik concluded.

Vucic reaffirms strong ties between Serbia and RS

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the special connection between Serbia and Republika Srpska.

“I am grateful for the hospitality and everything you organized yesterday. I don't need to say much about the relationship between Serbia and Republika Srpska—words are unnecessary when compared to emotions. The road connection between Bijeljina and Belgrade is of crucial importance. We have completed the bridge over the Sava River and the Drina River near Bratunac, and we will continue with similar infrastructure projects. Republika Srpska can always count on our support. We have no problem with Sarajevo participating in any of these projects if they wish. There is no issue on our side. But I don’t understand why political barriers and resistance keep being raised,” Vucic stated.

Vucic criticizes political attacks, hopes for an end to legal action against Dodik

The Serbian president also criticized political opponents and the legal proceedings against Dodik and his associates, indirectly referencing tensions with Sarajevo.

“I respect those who formed the Council of Ministers, and I won’t respond to them. But let me remind you how long I have been in power compared to them—and how long they will remain. The average salary in Belgrade is €350 higher than in Sarajevo. That says enough about the so-called ‘evil’ Vucic. I sincerely hope that the legal persecution of Dodik and his associates will not continue. I hope that reason and wisdom will prevail. I wish everyone wisdom, peace, and stability. Republika Srpska can always count on Serbia’s support. We will continue working together without interfering with anyone. Thank you for your support, your ideas, and the great energy you have shared with me,” Vucic concluded.

Responding to a journalist’s question, Dodik falsely reaffirmed Serbia’s role as a guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

“Serbia is a signatory to the Dayton Agreement, and it serves as its guarantor. The Serbia we see today, under Vucic’s leadership, presents the situation objectively, which is of great importance to us. It is crucial for Serbia to be present in international forums and to communicate the situation accurately. I have never received encouragement from Vucic to destabilize Bosnia and Herzegovina, even when politicians in Sarajevo undermine the country’s territorial integrity,” Dodik stated.

Vucic: ‘Our ties have never been stronger’

Answering a journalist’s question, Vucic stressed that Serbia’s ties with Republika Srpska continue to grow and reiterated that his stance does not threaten Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Our ties are getting stronger, and we are not endangering anyone. Yesterday and today, I made sure not to say anything that could be interpreted as a threat to territorial integrity. Many were quick to accept the secession of a part of Serbia without hesitation, casually dismissing it. But let’s not even begin discussing all the things they allow themselves to do daily. Some have taken it upon themselves to lecture Serbia, to dictate terms, rather than show respect,” Vucic said.

He then addressed historical grievances and accusations against him, particularly in relation to the events in Srebrenica.

“It’s not a problem to be fair, to respect victims, but to force us to kneel and beg? That will never happen. It has been ten years since what happened in Srebrenica, and they still spread lies a million times over. I tell them—show me a video or a picture of me with a sniper rifle. They say I wasn’t holding an umbrella or a tripod. No, I was supposedly carrying a sniper rifle—what a bunch of deceitful idiots.

Show me proof, now that I am no longer the president. I know they are lying. For ten years, they have been trying to convince me that I attacked myself in Srebrenica. Are you all out of your minds? Every rock, every bottle thrown—was I the one who orchestrated that?

I barely survived that day in Srebrenica, but I refused to bow my head. Because I had come to terms with the fact that I might not make it out. But let me tell you this—the President of Serbia does not bow his head when others want him to, but only when he chooses to.

And now, with a year and a half left in my mandate, after ruling longer than anyone in the region, let them pray to God that I don’t register my candidacy in Cipuljic because if I did, I would even win in Sarajevo. That’s how capable they are, that’s the kind of life they have provided for their people,” Vucic declared.

Dodik: ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina is a failed state’

Following Vucic’s remarks, Dodik reiterated his stance that all three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be included in any political decision-making process.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina is a failed state. Any position taken on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina must reflect the views of all three constituent peoples. But that’s not the case—they falsely present themselves as speaking for the entire country.

Sometimes, I almost want to encourage them to keep going with this charade. These insults toward Vucic will not go unanswered. They have privatized Bosnia’s international representation, but in reality, there is nothing left of this country.

The Sarajevo political elite believed they could dominate. If they truly cared about Bosnia and Herzegovina, they wouldn’t be pushing only their own agenda. But let’s be clear—Bosnia and Herzegovina never really existed,” Dodik falsely stated.