Respected fighters of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Respected members of the Armed Forces of BiH – soldiers, officers, generals,
Respected families of the shadeeds and killed soldiers,
Dear citizens!

Assalamu alaikum and good morning!

Twenty years ago, the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina brought a Decree on integration of Territorial Defence, Patriotic League and other patriotic military units into the unified military formation which was soon to carry the honourable name – Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Army was formed in the times of the hardest historical challenges which our homeland faced in its thousand-year-old existence. It was formed in the times when the aggressor forces from the East brutally attacked Bosnia and Herzegovina and then later also from the West, in order to achieve hegemonic, great-stately aims.

The creation, strengthening and defensive-resistant military path of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a story of the conjunction of vitality and wisdom. It is the story of the vitality of our people and the wisdom of the then state and military leadership. The Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina defended the country, defended the freedom and honour of the Bosnians and Herzegovinians. It defended what many call the “idea of Bosnia”; the belief that people of different religions, cultures and identities can live together. That very idea is in the foundations of the unification of Europe, the creation of the European Union.
Under unbelievably complex conditions, almost complete logistical blockade and halted economy, a respectable military force was created, the force which prevailed against superior aggressor armies, prevailed against international conspiracies and embargo, prevailed against those in its ranks who wanted revenge.

The first President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the first Supreme Commander of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, late Alija Izetbegović, when he talked about the miraculous strengthening and resistance of our people and our Army, said “… once when analyses are made, when the miracle of the Bosnian resistance is deciphered from a historical distance, it will be discovered, for I am sure – that the secret laid somewhere within the souls or character of the people…”
Therefore, let us remember our heroes and that difficult, but glorious time. Let us not allow their role and significance in the history of our country and our people be forgotten! The results of their fight and their victim are the founding stone for the creation of a better future for the generations to come. We continue that fight today – the fight for the whole Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country of free and equal people regardless of their names and regardless of the way they worship God.

Resistances, conspiracies and disintegration attempts will continue to exist. But strong integration processes, the processes of reconciliation and normalisation will unquestionably continue to gain strength and they will prevail. A well set political aims are gaining constant and stronger support of the international community. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an excellent opportunity to speed its path towards the Euro-Atlantic integrations.
In the last weeks, I was twice in Brussels. In March, I conducted meetings with the leadership of the European Union, and a few days ago I had a meeting with the Secretary General and later with the overall Council of the NATO member states.
The readiness for assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its accelerated path towards the European integrations was confirmed. Within a couple of months, we can create conditions for the submission of a credible application for membership to the European Union, as well as the taking over of the Annual Plan within the Action Plan for membership to NATO.
The doors of the European Union and NATO are wide open to us. The security of the NATO Alliance, the security for all in Bosnia and Herzegovina, political and economic stability which the EU membership offers – are the best possible inheritance we can leave to our children and descendants. This is the opportunity which this generation of Bosnian-Herzegovinian leaders does not have the right to miss.
Occasional crises that occur must not dishearten. It is imperative that we keep searching for solutions and come out of every crisis stronger and a step closer to the accomplishment of the set strategic goals.
A great majority of citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina are tired of uncertainty and constant contentions, and want a better life and certain future for themselves and their descendants.
The politicians have to finally rightly interpret the interests of their electorate and direct the energy towards agreement which will enable the Bosnian-Herzegovinian society to strongly move on the path of stability, prosperity and security.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, while we stand in front of the Second Rangers Infantry Regiment of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the regiment which proudly nourishes the inheritance of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, let us send a message to ourselves and others that the patriots of Bosnia and Herzegovina will never again will allow for weakness, that we will always be ready to defend our homeland.
But also, let us send a message that we are ready for agreement and cooperation. Most ready. We are ready to, while not forgetting the past, turn towards the future, towards what we can and should become, and that is the society in which every person in every part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will peacefully live a life worthy of a man.
That is our debt to those who laid their lives in defence of one and only homeland of ours, Bosnia and Herzegovina!

To all the patriots of Bosnia and Herzegovina I congratulate this great day – the Day of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thank you. Cheers!