Macut: I am going to Banjaluka by car, we will mark Serbian Unity Day together

BELGRADE- Serbia's caretaker PM Djuro Macut, whom Sarajevo has banned from flying over Bosnia and Herzegovina's territory, said on Monday the move would not stop him from being in Banjaluka in the evening to mark the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag.

"Since I was unable to go by plane, I will go by car. For me, it is important to be with our people and that we mark the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag together, in a dignified manner and in peace," Macut noted in a written statement to Tanjug.

In 21st-century Europe, it is really inappropriate to try to use administrative measures to ban someone from attending the celebration of a holiday that is not threatening anyone and is not aimed against anyone, Macut added.

"Moves like these are exactly what sets back all of us in the region - not holidays during which we celebrate our unity, freedom, history and flag, while respecting everyone else and their right to preserve their own name, identity and tradition," Macut noted.

"We will not respond by escalating tensions. Serbia will continue to extend a hand of cooperation and to respect the civilisational standards of freedom of movement and good-neighbourly relations and to respect others, but also to preserve and respect what is its own," Macut noted.

The Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag will be marked in Banjaluka, Republika Srpska, on Monday evening.