Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić recently visited the Diocese of Bihać-Petrovac and Rmanj, where he joined local communities in commemorating the 31st anniversary of the suffering of Serbs during Operation Storm in 1995.
According to a statement from the Diocese, President Vučić began his visit at Rmanj Monastery, whose restoration was carried out with significant support from the Serbian state and the President.
During his stay, Vučić also visited Drvar, Sitnica, Janjske Otoke, Vodice, Jezero and Mrkonjić Grad, where he met residents, representatives of local authorities and members of the clergy. The Diocese said the meetings demonstrated the local population’s strong ties with Serbia, as well as their appreciation for the assistance provided by Serbia in recent years.
The Diocese described the President’s visit as a symbol of Serbian unity, particularly at a time when communities are commemorating those who suffered and were displaced during Operation Storm. It stressed that Serbia’s assistance had contributed significantly to improving living conditions and supporting the continued presence of Serbian communities in the region.
According to the statement, such support had also provided residents with reassurance that they had not been forgotten. “As long as there is a responsible and patriotic Serbia, we too will remain,” the Diocese said.
The Diocese further highlighted the symbolic importance of the visit, noting that Vučić was the first President of Serbia to visit Rmanj Monastery, as well as several of the other locations included in his itinerary.
It compared the historical significance of the visit with the presence of Prince Petar Mrkonjić Karađorđević in the region during the Serbian uprising in Bosnia between 1875 and 1878, expressing the belief that Vučić’s visit would similarly be remembered in the years to come.
Concluding its statement, the Diocese expressed its gratitude to the Republic of Serbia and President Vučić and voiced hope for continued cooperation, assistance and support in the future.
Source: Patriarchate of Serbia
