KARAN PRESENTS DECORATION TO GRIGORIEV

BANJA LUKA, May 11 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan today presented Evgeny Grigoriev, Chairman of the Committee on External Relations of the Government of Saint Petersburg, with the Order of the Flag of Republika Srpska with a Golden Wreath for exceptional merits in developing friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation between Republika Srpska and Russia, as well as for strengthening strategic partnership and brotherly ties.

The decoration had been awarded to Grigoriev on the occasion of the St. Vitus Day by then-President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik on June 28, 2025. Karan congratulated Grigoriev on the well-deserved recognition awarded for his contribution to the twenty-year cooperation between Saint Petersburg and Republika Srpska. "It will soon be 20 years of this successful cooperation, the foundations of which were laid by you and President Dodik," Karan said. He expressed hope that this would serve as encouragement for even stronger cooperation in the future. "Thank you for everything you have done for Republika Srpska and its citizens. This is confirmation of the lasting cooperation between Republika Srpska and Russia, and between the Serb and Russian peoples," Karan stated. Grigoriev said that this was a great honour for him, but that the decoration does not belong only to him, but also to the Government of Saint Petersburg, which devotes great attention to cooperation with Republika Srpska. "Together we look toward the future. We are grateful for your support, because achievements and meaningful work are possible only jointly. Neighbouring countries should pay attention to this partnership of ours. Victory will be ours," Grigoriev said. Among those attending the awarding ceremony at the Palace of the Republic were President Milorad Dodik and Russian Ambassador to BiH Igor Kalabukhov. The award ceremony can be viewed on the YouTube channel of the Republika Srpska News Agency.