Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received on Thursday the keys to the city of Banja Luka, Bosnia's second-largest city, which he said was one of the biggest recognitions he has ever been given.

Vucic said he was proud he can say as of today that he is also one of Banja Luka citizens.

“Thank you very much for this recognition. Only after you receive such recognition you realise how small you are and that you are made of vanity, because you enjoy it no matter how many obligations it might bring you in the future,” he said.

Aleksandru Vučiću nagradu za Dan Grada Banjaluka, ključ Grada uručio SNSD-ov predsjednik SG Mladen Ilic. @N1infoSA Vučić kaže da je to velika obaveza, čast. “Počastivši sam i srecan sto ste bez obzira da na vaše razlike, odluku donijeli jednoglasno.” pic.twitter.com/2d3mar763s

— Snezana Mitrovic (@Snejkicaa) April 22, 2021

Being a Banja Luka citizen means being aware that Banja Luka is a home city to everyone. However, he dubbed it as “the most important Serb city next to Belgrade.”

“Banja Luka has been through its modern history and remained, I will dare to say, the most important Serb city next to Belgrade. Sort of a city that has room for everyone. Today I took a big obligation, to contribute as much as I can and an honour to say that, just like you, I am a Banja Luka citizen,” he said.

This city, Vucic stressed, is an example of how people of different religions and ethnicities can coexist.

“This is the most western city with a Serb majority, the one that shows all qualities that we must preserve as a people. Especially today when politicians are using horrible words such as war, Banja Luka must serve as an example that people of different religions and ethnicities can live together,” Vucic said.

“I received the keys to many cities in Serbia and the region but I must be honest, I don't remember being so excited and that it meant as much as it means today when I am receiving the keys to the city of Banja Luka,” he added.

Vucic arrived in Banja Luka on Thursday where he met with representatives of Republika Srpska, Bosnia's Serb-majority region.