Independence Day marked in Zenica: We must be cautious, vigilant and united in defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina!

(Patria) - A ceremonial academy in the large hall of the Bosnian National Theatre in Zenica, organised by the Government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, marked Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina in that canton.

The ceremony was attended by numerous guests from the homeland and abroad, including the former President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipović, who emphasised that he is honoured to have the opportunity, as a friend of BiH, to be a guest of BiH and the ZDC and to address the audience at such a festive and important moment for BiH citizens.

"May peace be with us all, and may the path of BiH, and I would say all our neighbours, be the European path. BiH can do it. It requires, of course, unity – and a lot of work, but, I emphasise, it is worth it. The European Union meant a lot for Croatia. It will mean a lot in the future, and we can't wait for you to join us," Josipović said.

He stressed that he believes the government and parliamentarians of his country have already done a lot to "somehow anchor" the idea of BiH's EU membership. It requires, he added, a great deal of effort, work and trust in the people leading the processes, and the result, as seen in Croatia's example, was positive. BiH, he said, must become an EU member.

Prime Minister of ZDC, Nezir Pivić, stated that he is glad they have the opportunity to mark in this way the most significant date in modern BiH history, which should be celebrated at the highest level in all BiH cities.

"More than ever, we need unity, harmony… Because, regardless of how much time has passed since the aggression on BiH, since the independence referendum, we still face threats from secessionist forces, which do not cease and are renewed daily. That is why we must be very cautious, vigilant and united in the fight for our homeland BiH," Pivić said, adding that such events are also an opportunity to send a message of love, unity, equality and togetherness.

Academician Mirsada Hukić, a member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH, as well as the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and Vice-President of the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee for Europe, emphasised that today we are not only marking a political act from 1992.

"We are not just celebrating a legal status; we are celebrating a decision! The decision of a people to take responsibility for their own destiny. And responsibility for the future, in the 21st century, is measured by knowledge. Knowledge is the strength of a state. Just as centripetal forces keep a planet in orbit, so knowledge keeps BiH in the orbit of progress. In today's world, the strength of a state is no longer measured by square kilometres, ores or energy sources. It is measured by the number of innovations, the quality of universities, trust in institutions and the ability to attract and retain top minds. It is measured by people," Hukić stated, and emphasised that we have significant potential.

"But, potential without a system remains just a nice story. Potential without a system is and remains a missed opportunity. Science is not an expense; it is the smartest investment," Hukić stressed.

BiH, she noted, invests only 0.19 percent of GDP in science. Today, she emphasised, we are not only renewing memory, but also the promise that we will build BiH on the foundations of knowledge, ethics and justice.

The ceremony was hosted by a native of Zenica with a Zagreb address, actor Tarik Filipović, and the dramatic part of the programme featured members of the Drama ensemble of the National Theatre Sarajevo, Merima Lepić Redžepović and Dino Bajrović; the founder of the "Spiritual Theatre" and actor Mirza Mušija, who is also the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of ZDC.

In the musical part of the programme, under the baton of maestro Fuad Šetić from the Music Academy in Sarajevo, who conducted the Symphony Orchestra from Sarajevo, soprano Vedrana Šimić and soloists of the Opera of the National Theatre Sarajevo, tenor Ermin Ašćerić and soprano Katarina Kikić Marić performed.

Former President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipović, will today, at 10:30 AM in the amphitheatre of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences of the University of Zenica, hold a lecture on the future of Western Balkan countries within the European Union, the future of the EU, and Croatia's experience in the process of acquiring full EU membership.