Serb Republic Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic recently
extended Christmas greetings to religious leaders of many constituencies across
the republic, both Christian and Orthodox, as well as all citizens.
“On behalf of the government of the Republic of Srpska
and my own, I pass my greetings on the occasion of celebrating the
Nativity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the forthcoming year 2017,” Cvijanovic
said. “May
the merriest Christian holiday — the day of Christ’s nativity — bring
us peace, love and family happiness and the New Year be full of stability
and prosperity for all our citizens.”
The prime minister directed her good wishes explicitly to “His Holiness
Serbian Patriarch Irinej, to orthodox archbishops, episcopes, priests, monks
and entire Serbian Orthodox people,” as well as Orthodox believers throughout
the Serb Republic and Bosnia and Herzegovina who observe the Julian calendar.
Cvijanovic expressed hope that the Christmas season would
remind citizens of family values, comparing a “strong and healthy family” to “the
guarantee of healthy and prosperous society.”
“Merry Christmas,” she said.
Cvijanovic has served the republic as its 11th prime minister since March 2013. She was minister of economic relations and
regional cooperation in the republic’s previous government. Additionally, she served
as an English teacher and an interpreter for an EU mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Having studied philosophy in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, Cvijanovic
holds a master’s degree in diplomatic and consular law from The Banja Luka Law
School.
