The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD, said that the struggle and sacrifice of the Sarajevo Serbs in the Defensive–Patriotic War defined the borders of the Republic of Srpska, which has grown stronger and stronger over the past 30 years.

Minister Mastilović said that it is difficult, throughout history, to find an example of a people defending themselves in such a way and, through a collective exodus, defining the borders of their country.

"The struggle and suffering of the Sarajevo Serbs must not be forgotten," said Minister Mastilović in Istočno Sarajevo, where he is participating in a round table on the topic "Eradication and exodus of Sarajevo Serbs at the end of the 20th century".

He stated that the suffering and eradication of Serbs lasted throughout the entire 20th century and that this will be the subject of research in the coming period.

"Sarajevo Serbs suffered in the First World War, genocide was committed against them in the Second World War, and finally, in the 1990s, these events occurred as the tip of the iceberg, with the aim of exterminating Serbs from these areas," said Minister Mastilović.

He emphasised that the Serbian intellectual elite from Sarajevo was the driving force behind all political and social processes that led to the creation of the Republic of Srpska.

"It is constantly emphasised that Sarajevo Serbs were the greatest victims of the last war, and all institutions of the Republic of Srpska are obliged to treat that sacrifice with respect," said Minister Mastilović.

The Minister warned that the political establishment in Sarajevo has never, over the past 30 years, renounced its wartime objectives, for which it has the support of part of the international community. He expressed his gratitude to the University of Istočno Sarajevo, the Institute of Historical Sciences and the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, which, under the patronage of the City of Istočno Sarajevo, organised the round table and thereby contributed to marking 30 years since the exodus of Sarajevo Serbs.

"It is particularly valuable that participants in the events are speaking at this gathering today, as their testimonies will remain as historical sources that scholars will use in the decades to come," said Mastilović.

He added that the Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska will support the establishment of a documentation centre within the Institute of Historical Sciences, which already holds tens of thousands of documents on the suffering of Sarajevo Serbs during the 20th century.

Acting Director of the Institute of Historical Sciences, Mirjana Lukić, emphasised that the aim of the round table "Eradication and exodus of Sarajevo Serbs at the end of the 20th century" is to examine this extremely important and painful topic in a scientifically grounded and responsible manner, with contributions from relevant experts from various fields. She noted that the round table is being organised as part of the marking of 30 years since the exodus of Sarajevo Serbs, with the intention of addressing the topic from a scholarly perspective and enabling a broader understanding of historical events.

"We wanted to bring together relevant experts in order to contribute to a better understanding of the topic, but also to hear different professional approaches and analyses," said Lukić.

According to her, one of the key goals of the gathering is also to foster a culture of remembrance.

"This is our way of recalling what happened, preserving the memory, and leaving future generations with a truth that must not be forgotten," Lukić emphasised.

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