DODIK: CONTINUE ENHANCED COOPERATION

BANJA LUKA, DECEMBER 23 /SRNA/ – SNSD President Milorad Dodik has stated today in Banja Luka that cooperation to date between the institutions of Republika Srpska and the Catholic Church has been very good, stressing that additional efforts should be made to further improve relations and enhance living conditions for all citizens.

"It is beyond doubt that the ‘Marija Zvijezda’ complex should be returned to the Catholic Church. We must relocate the hospital that is currently operating there, and I believe that we will resolve this issue in the foreseeable future," Dodik told reporters after a meeting with Bishop of Banja Luka Željko Majić. Dodik emphasized that Republika Srpska is interested in ensuring the sustainability of the Catholic community and therefore supports certain activities. "These people deserve better living conditions. My wish is to resolve open issues, and it is also important to intervene in some local communities so that infrastructure projects important for the Catholic Church and its faithful can be implemented," Dodik added. Dodik congratulated Catholic believers on the upcoming Christmas. Bishop Majić noted that the meeting focused on projects and needs important to the Catholic Church. "We must look to the future and work to improve the lives of citizens, which is why such meetings are necessary. One of the key issues is the return of church property, above all the ‘Marija Zvijezda’ monastery, as well as resolving the problem of the Catholic School Center, which is a public good attended by students of different denominations," Majić said. He thanked Dodik for his support and for the quality cooperation with the Diocese of Banja Luka.