KOKANOVIĆ: JANUARY 9 SYMBOLIZES SERB UNITY AND NATIONAL IDENTITY

BELGRADE, JANUARY 5 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Day - January 9, which symbolizes the preservation of national identity and the unity of the Serbs, is one of the most important dates for the entire Serb people, said Vladimir Kokanović, Director of the Administration for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region at Serbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"That date is very important to us, as well as for preserving the Serbian national identity in the territory of Republika Srpska," Kokanović said, noting that he will be in Banja Luka on that day. As a key message, he stressed that in the times ahead, the unity of the Serb people is the most significant, an unquestionable and invaluable principle. Kokanović said that all Serbs, wherever they live, have highlighted the crucial importance of the survival and unity of the Serb people. "Regardless of certain differences in views or approaches and some other elements, the fundamental national interest is for us to survive as a people. That is what brings us together and around which all Serbs are united," Kokanović said. January 9 is celebrated as Republika Srpska Day because on that date in 1992 it was established under its original name, the Republic of the Serb People in BiH. Republika Srpska was founded by Serb deputies in the then Assembly of BiH after they were outvoted on key issues concerning the survival of Yugoslavia, while members of the other two peoples embarked on secession against the will of the Serbs, who held the status of a constituent people. The name Republic of the Serb People in BiH was in use until February 28, 1992, when the first Constitution was proclaimed and the name was changed to the Serb Republic of BiH. This designation was used until August 12, 1992, when the name Serb Republic was introduced. In September 1992, that name was replaced with the current one - Republika Srpska.