Dodik: Kosovo is part of Serbia, but also of Republic of Srpska – we inherit our identity based on historical roots in Kosovo and Metohija

President of Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik stated today that Kosovo is an inseparable part of Serbia, as well as Republic of Srpska.

"Kosovo and Metohija is an inseparable part of Serbia, but also of Republic of Srpska, which inherits its values, identity, and everything important for the Serbian people from the historical roots in Kosovo and Metohija. Therefore, it is also ours," Dodik said in his address at the joint session of the governments of Serbia and Republic of Srpska within the All-Serbian Assembly.

He emphasized that there is no difference in what is being said today at the Assembly or elsewhere.

He noted that Republic of Srpska was satisfied with the autonomy given to it by the Dayton Agreement, but that it has been undermined and brought into question through various maneuvers.

"They refuse to return to the Dayton Agreement, reject Serbia as a signatory, and prevent it from being the guarantor of the agreement. However, legal and any other logic indicates that Serbia is indeed the guarantor," Dodik reminded.

He added that agreements on all open issues would be defined at the Assembly, as it is necessary to understand the new relations that, he said, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic understands better than others.

"We in Republic of Srpska believe that Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot continue violating the Dayton Agreement and with foreign intervention of unimaginable proportions. It is better to live as good neighbors, with our rights and political-territorial entities, than to be permanently quarreling housemates," Dodik said, adding that today's gathering should be welcomed by neighbors.

He stated that the Serbian people desire peace.

"I am convinced that if we come to a point where we must decide on it, and if circumstances impose a threat to our peace, we should follow Vucic's decision at that moment, as he is the man who can provide an answer," Dodik added.

He said that Serbs respect everyone, and that the Serbian Orthodox Church is an institution that has preserved the Serbian identity in almost impossible circumstances.

He also mentioned the need to remember who voted for the Srebrenica Resolution.

According to him, it is very difficult for Serbs to remain in Bosnia and Herzegovina with those who label them as genocidal, while previously doing everything to commit genocide against Serbs.

"We always want Serbia to be strong, and it has risen. Serbia in the last decade is unrecognizable. I see change and strength in Serbia... Serbia is returning to positions to defend the Dayton Agreement. That agreement, which we must all equally understand. Thanks to Vucic, Serbia has returned to jointly marking common dates from history. This did not happen before," Dodik said.

The declaration to be adopted is essentially a national document.

"It has provided answers to many challenges, not just for the moment, but also for what we should do in the future. The declaration we are adopting today will be confirmed in parliaments and will become the property of every member of our nation," Dodik said.

He emphasized that Republic of Srpska will mark Serbia's Statehood Day on February 15 as its own, but will remain committed to the fact that it was founded on January 9 and will continue to appropriately mark Republic Day.

He stated that this is a time when there is no hesitation.

"We want to strongly state that we belong to one people and that this is a legal and legitimate political definition. We do not wish to endanger anyone, but the sum of all efforts around us has precisely endangered us. That is why we are coming out with an important declaration," Dodik added.

He reiterated that Serbs are not a genocidal people.

"This Resolution does not concern us in the sense that we need to implement it. The greatest humiliation is precisely the fact that mechanisms from the UN General Assembly's rules of procedure were used, treating it as an insignificant issue, just so that some could say something was adopted. The Serbian people must permanently acknowledge Vucic and stand behind his fight for Serbs. To fight in this way, as he does, only great statesmen can," Dodik said.