Dodik awarded Vučić the Order of Republika Srpska: We live in different states, but we are one

SERBIA, (Patria) - The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, awarded the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, the Order of Republika Srpska on a necklace. Vučić received the award for, as stated, "special merits in developing and strengthening cooperation and political relations between the Republic of Serbia and Republika Srpska, as well as for immeasurable contribution in the fight for the physical and spiritual survival, affirmation and development of Republika Srpska."

- The award is an expression of respect for what you have done for Republika Srpska, for the cooperation we have at the institutional level, for understanding the conditions in which Republika Srpska works and functions, and for assistance in many individual projects you have supported in Republika Srpska - said Dodik.

Dodik stated that the people in RS consider Serbia's Statehood Day as their holiday.

- I congratulate you on this important day - emphasized Dodik after his address.

After receiving the order, Vučić said it was a great recognition for him.

- You always think that you haven't done enough to deserve such recognition. Much lies ahead of us, and we still have a lot to do to ease the lives of people in Republika Srpska. To be even closer to each other, although I think that with our responsibility and seriousness, we have proven how we look to the future - said Vučić.

Vučić emphasized that economic, cultural, and all other cooperation between Serbia and RS should continue.

- We belong to the same nation, we rejoice in the same things, and we grieve for the same things. I am happy that we have contributed to the development of RS, and we have never hindered it, nor does it threaten anyone, nor does it threaten Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Vučić.

Vučić and Dodik are attending the central ceremony of marking Sretenje - Serbia's Statehood Day in Orašac today.

- Serbia will help RS in every way and will continue to help RS by respecting the Dayton Peace Agreement. We live in different states, but we are one. There are no Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin Serbs, they are Serbs, and we belong to one nation, and we should be proud of that - said Vučić.

The President of the Bosnian entity Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, said during his speech in Orašac that Serbs today have two states: "Serbia and Republika Srpska."