"Ratko Mladic was commander of the Army of Republika Srpska and he had his own responsibilities and duties. In the execution of his duties he was obliged to respect the laws and norms of warfare. If he violated these, he must answer for it. And the court will say that", Dodik said in a statement to reporters in Banja Luka, commenting on the trial of former commander of the General Staff of the Army of Republika Srpska Ratko Mladic scheduled for 16 May.

Mladic is accused of genocide and other crimes committed during the war in BiH.

Dodik said that Ratko Mladic, in the perception of "many people in RS," remains the person who led the Army of Republika Srpska.

"In the perception of these people, he is a significant historical and military personage," Dodik said.

Dodik, along with Serbian member of the Presidency of BiH Nebojsa Radmanovic and RS Prime Minister Aleksandar Dzombic, laid wreaths in honor of fallen soldiers at the Saint Panteleimon Cemetery in Borik and at the Mausoleum at the New Cemetery, on the occasion of 12 May's Day of the Army of Republika Srpska and Day of the Third Infantry
Regiment (RS) of the Armed Forces of BiH.

Dodik said he is proud that he was one of the parliamentarians who 20 years ago participated in the work of the RS Parliament when they carried the decision on the formation of the former Army of Republika Srpska.

He said that the army had a great role in the establishment of RS and the preservation of peace in the region, and that RS today "honors those who created it," adding that RS today is stable despite socioeconomic challenges, and that it is an important factor in political relations in RS and, as he says, in the region.

"RS wants to send a message of peace, stability, and tolerance. We want to stabilize and strengthen our authorities and we will not lose it, even with the conditions of strong requirements connected to the European integration of BiH," the entity president repeated.