There are 1.6 million Serbs in the region and ‘as many reasons for the region to say “thank you” - for tolerance, work, cultural and economic contribution,’ said today the Director of the Directorate for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region, Arnaud Gouillon.

- Unfortunately, we are witnesses that being a Serb in the region is not always easy and that we do not always enjoy the respect we deserve. Often, instead of the word thank you, we receive words of hatred, instead of respect - disparagement - said Gouillon at the session of the parliamentary Committee on the Diaspora and Serbia in the Region.

He noted that what Montenegro, BiH, Croatia, Albania, Romania, Hungary and Slovenia had in common was the Serbian people who had contributed to the development and building of their societies and countries.

- In all those countries, being a Serb should be a reason for pride, not for discrimination and shame - Gouillon said.

He reminded that the Directorate for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region and the parliamentary Committee on the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region were there to improve the position of Serbs.

Gouillon points out that that is why the Directorate, as well as Committee representatives, should ask the representatives of the countries of the region at every meeting why Serbs do not have the status of a national minority like their own compatriots do in Serbia although they are less numerous or why the Cyrillic alphabet is being suppressed.

He announced that focus of the Directorate would be on teaching the Serbian language and said that a campaign had been launched to preserve the Serbian language, which deserved engagement.

- I read that the French language is in danger because of the ubiquitous English language. About 512 million people speak it, and yet it is said that it is endangered, and with 15 or 20 million of those who speak Serbian, we must be aware that, if we do not engage with the Serbian language, no one will do it in our place - said Gouillon.

Gouillon said that the Directorate had 50 million dinars /425,000 euro/ annually available for associations of Serbs from the region and 50 million dinars for associations of Serbs from the diaspora, for financing about 250 projects.

Source: Srna

Photo: Tanjug