The newly appointed director of the Office for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Serbia, Vladimir Kokanović, called on Serbian associations to cooperate yesterday, stating his familiarity with the problems faced by members of that people outside the motherland, but also with their strength.

The Office for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region was established by the Law on Ministries in 2014. Kokanović, who has been at the head of the Alliance of Serbs of Slovenia, the umbrella and the largest organization of Serbian societies in Slovenia, since 2020, was appointed acting director of the Office by the Government of the Republic of Serbia by its decision on 31 July.

Yesterday, he introduced himself with a letter and called on Serbian associations to cooperate.

According to him, the Office is tasked with strengthening institutions and their capacities, assisting initiatives of importance for the diaspora, and improving communication and dialogue between those outside and within the motherland.

- I know how much effort, faith, and personal sacrifice you invest to preserve the Serbian language, culture, and identity. I also know how important it is when you feel the motherland as a support and backing, rather than a distant service. That is why I openly tell you that the Office will be present, available, and involved. Dialogue and cooperation with you will be the foundation of our work. We want to hear you, learn from you, and be your partners and friends. I believe that together we can build stronger ties between the motherland and the diaspora, not only officially but sincerely and humanly - noted Kokanović in his letter, in which he asked Serbian associations to provide their assessment of cooperation with the Office, list priorities, and propose ideas.

Especially during the tenure of former director Arnaud Gouillon, the Office established cooperation with Serb associations from the FBiH, and as an institution, it supported many projects and competitions aimed at sustainable return.

It is precisely a strong and organized Office, according to Damir Ivetić, president of the Posavina Serbian civic association from Odžaci, that is a great support for all Serbs.

- I congratulate Kokanović on his appointment; some contacts have already been made to get to know each other. Cooperation with the Office has been at the highest level. Gouillon fully understood the situation of Serb returnees in the FBiH and said that our suffering was almost equal to that of the Serbian people in Kosovo - said Ivetić.

Yesterday, Damir Ivetić signed an agreement in Novi Sad with the Fund for Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Cooperation with Serbs in the Region, which provides for the purchase of school supplies for students from first to fifth grade in the Posavina Canton area.

Source: Glas Srpske
Photo: Agencies