RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS' DAY MARKED IN EAST SARAJEVO

EAST SARAJEVO, FEBRUARY 10 /SRNA/ - On the occasion of Russian Diplomats' Day, wreaths and flowers were laid in East Sarajevo today at the monument to the late Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin.

The wreaths were laid by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to BiH Igor Kalabukhov, representatives of the East Sarajevo City Administration, delegations from the municipalities of Istočno Novo Sarajevo and Milići, as well as the President of the Citizens' Association Eastern Alternative Vojin Pavlović. The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to BiH Igor Kalabukhov expressed gratitude to the Serbian people for their love for Russia, as well as to everyone who attended the commemoration of this day. He expressed particular satisfaction with the opening of the Russian Embassy's office in Banja Luka, emphasizing that the connection with Russia will become even stronger through this office. "I have been doing this job for over 40 years, and I am always amazed at how many more secrets I still need to uncover. Being a diplomat is an honor bestowed by the Russian state. Sometimes it is also dangerous and challenging," said Kalabukhov. He also reminded everyone of the special operation in Ukraine and highlighted the unique role of Russian diplomacy. "We hope for victory, especially in this year when we will also celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism," said Kalabukhov. He expressed hope that the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik and the Serbian member of the Presidency of BiH Željka Cvijanović will attend the Victory Day celebrations on May 9 in Moscow. Kalabukhov has said that he is pleased that people in Republika Srpska understand Russia and its goals. "Together, we will achieve all our goals," Kalabukhov said. The Deputy Mayor of Istočno Novo Sarajevo Aleksandar Kostović said that all great powers demonstrate their seriousness through their diplomatic networks. "Russia has a tradition of serious, career diplomats, and Churkin was one of the greatest diplomats," Kostović said. He emphasized the importance of the fact that Churkin vetoed the British Resolution on Srebrenica in the UN Security Council, thus preventing the unjust labeling of the Serbian people as genocidal. "Russia has always been on the side of international law and has never interfered in the internal affairs of BiH. Internal dialogue has no alternative," said Kostović. The President of the Eastern Alternative Citizens' Association Vojin Pavlović reminded that the erection of the memorial to Churkin was a fight for the truth, just like the one this Russian diplomat fought for in the UN. He added that he will continue to insist that a monument to Churkin be erected in Srebrenica as well. "This day is very important for both Russia and Republika Srpska. The Serbian people must nurture tradition, and we must know that we have brothers who protect humanity," said Pavlović, expressing his belief in Russia's victory. A memorial to Vitaly Churkin in East Sarajevo was erected at the initiative of the Eastern Alternative Citizens' Association in gratitude from the Serbian people for his veto in the UN Security Council against the British Resolution on Srebrenica. The Russian holiday, Diplomat's Day, was established by a decree of the President of the Russian Federation on October 31, 2002, marking the 200th anniversary of the formation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. On this day, employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation lay flowers on the graves of prominent Russian diplomats, both within Russia and abroad, in remembrance of previous generations of homeland diplomats. The memorial to Vitaly Churkin in East Sarajevo was erected in 2017 at the initiative of the Eastern Alternative Citizens' Association, with the support of the Russian Embassy in BiH and the municipality of Istočno Novo Sarajevo. Churkin unexpectedly passed away in New York on February 20, 2017, the day before his 65th birthday. This Russian diplomat is remembered among Serbs for vetoing the British Resolution on Srebrenica in the UN Security Council, thus preventing the unjust stigmatization of the Serbian people as genocidal.