Exactly 34 years ago, the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was formed, with the central state-level commemoration held at the Dubrave barracks.
Delegations gathered from the offices of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina members Denis Bećirović and Željko Komšić, the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, federal and cantonal authorities, and veterans' associations.
Protocol-wise, the commander of the Second Infantry (Ranger) Regiment of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faruk Ganić, presented a report to the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Bećirović.
On this occasion, Bećirović conveyed that he remembers with pride the liberating Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which defended the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international subjectivity of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As he stated, today the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are the only legal armed force on the state territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and our country is on a fast track toward NATO membership.
"I have had numerous talks with many NATO leaders, and in early May, all three members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina will meet with the North Atlantic Council in Brussels. It is important that Bosnia and Herzegovina has fulfilled all formal and substantive preconditions for NATO to extend an invitation for membership. NATO is a safe harbor for all citizens and peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and together with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it can guarantee additional peace in our country," said Bećirović.
During today's commemoration of the significant date, the victories of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina were also highlighted.
"Had it not been for the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, there certainly would not be a state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The unrealized dream of many peoples is a state, and we have that. We have a flag that flies in front of the UN building and other international institutions. Once again, I congratulate all patriots who carry on the tradition of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina," stated Ganić.
The Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton, Irfan Halilagić, in addition to congratulations, emphasized the importance of peace and stability and strengthening the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He reminded that the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most significant phenomenon or movement in the thousand-year history of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"It is an answer to friends and enemies, meaning there is no discussion or negotiation when it comes to the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Regarding Tuzla Canton, we are proud to have been at one organizational level and that with the Day of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we could round off the commemoration of the most significant dates," said Halilagić.
Incidentally, today also marked the commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the Second Infantry (Ranger) Regiment of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.