International forum in Banja Luka with Dodik: Peace, christian values, and sovereignty in the Balkans and Europe

Banja Luka, the capital of the Republic of Srpska, hosted on April 26, 2025, the International Forum “Easter 2025: Peace, Stability, and Christian Values in Contemporary Europe and the Balkans.” The event, organized by the Balkan People’s Society and the Center for Cooperation with Serbs Abroad, under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, gathered political representatives, European and national parliamentarians, as well as public figures from Germany, Belgium, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Russia, Austria, Belarus, and other countries. The main goal of the forum was to promote international support for the legitimate aspirations of the Republic of Srpska in its struggle to preserve the principles of justice and legality enshrined in the 1995 Dayton-Paris Agreement.

The President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, opened the forum by emphasizing the importance of Christian and family values as the pillars of a strong and stable society. In his speech, Dodik stated: “Our problem is that international interventionism seeks to impose an order different from Dayton.” He added that the forum participants “promote the fundamental values of Christianity and translate them into political action,” highlighting how this movement is gaining increasing relevance across Europe. Dodik thanked the international guests for their dedication to dialogue on crucial issues, stressing that “the future of Europe is built precisely on people like them.”

Dodik reiterated the role of the Republic of Srpska as a bastion of resistance against the impositions of unelected foreign entities, emphasizing that the forum demonstrates how “the Republic of Srpska is not isolated and has many friends around the world.” He also expressed support for the policies of Donald Trump, describing him as a leader who “promotes rationality, stability, and solutions, without seeking conflicts.” A significant moment of the gathering was the meeting between Milorad Dodik and Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the Bulgarian party “Revival” (Vazrazhdane). During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the political situation in the Balkans and Europe, reaffirming their commitment to supporting policies that uphold traditional family values, as advocated by U.S. President Donald Trump. Dodik emphasized that “those who respect family, faith, and identity build a future where children grow up in a healthy and safe society.”

The President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, highlighted the importance of Banja Luka as “a center where sovereign and free people gather, a place where free thought and democratic values are preserved.” Stevandić strongly criticized Christian Schmidt, accusing him of “trying to destroy democracy and the family, acting like a medieval authority.” He further stated that the forum represents “the sovereignist establishment,” contrasting it with what he called “globalist dictatorship.” The forum, held at the Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republic of Srpska, aimed not only to discuss Christian and family values but also to reaffirm the Republic of Srpska’s right to preserve its status and competencies guaranteed by the Dayton Agreement.

The organizers stressed that the event demonstrated the support of numerous international figures and institutions for the Republic of Srpska, which for decades has opposed, in their view, the illegitimate violation of its rights. As declared by the Balkan People’s Society, the forum confirmed that “Banja Luka is one of the main capitals of authentic Europe, a capital of sovereign nations.” Speeches emphasized the importance of peace and stability as key elements for the future of Europe and the Balkans, with unanimous consensus on the Republic of Srpska’s right to defend its position and prerogatives.

The “Easter 2025” International Forum represented a moment of reflection and unity for participants, who share a common vision based on Christian values, family, and the sovereignty of peoples. With the participation of prominent figures such as Milorad Dodik, Kostadin Kostadinov, and Nenad Stevandić, the event consolidated the role of the Republic of Srpska as a relevant actor in the European debate, capable of attracting the support of an international network of allies. As President Dodik stated, “we are not a story of rebellion, but of defending the fundamental values of Christianity, which we transform into political action.” The forum thus marked a step forward in building a Europe that, according to participants, should return to its cultural and spiritual roots, promoting peace and stability in a context of growing geopolitical complexity.

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