The Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska, Zlatan Klokić, invited those interested to apply as much as possible for the funding offered by EU funds, illustrating this with the data that in the past year applicants from Srpska had participated in the implementation of 182 such projects of a total value of about EUR 255 million.

In an interview for Srna, Klokić stated that the point was that as many people from Srpska as possible take advantage of this opportunity and apply for the offered funding.

– The benefits are huge. I was convinced of this while visiting our companies that had applied for some of the EU funds, passed and created an excellent story. They modernized production, improved operation, and the point and goal is to have as many such examples as possible every year – Klokić said.

Klokić stated that for years, in different ways and through the launched PROJEKTIEU website, the line Ministry had been encouraging and informing interested applicants from Srpska to keep up with the calls, write projects and, finally, apply and take the money from the EU funds available to us.

He believes that until recently it was a rather complicated story, at least for the Republic of Srpska, since each EU donor has its own way of distributing information about open calls, and until now the case was that those from Srpska interested in a project could hardly keep up with so many sites.

– That is why we decided to simplify the procedure and consolidate all available projects, so this year we launched a website. Those interested can find literally everything of interest in one place, and there is a link to current calls coming from various EU funds – said Klokić.

Klokić pointed out that the line Ministry was the administrator of this website and that it updated regularly data on new projects and made them available to everyone wanting to know about them.

– There is information about the requirements, deadlines and amounts of funding available for applying. In this regard, a database of applicants from Srpska has been established in the last five years. Independently of the site, we provide them with information on open calls in the sphere of their expressed interests on a daily basis. In addition, we publish the calls regularly on the Ministry’s social networks – Klokić said.

Connect Diaspora with Motherland

In terms of connecting Srpska’s diaspora with the motherland, the established Diaspora Register, and promoting the way to register through the recently released video, Klokić said that this kind of promotion would be continued.

Klokić assessed that the video was very well received, it had a large number of viewers on social networks, and soon its promotion would be extended to some television stations.

– It is important to bring this project closer to citizens after the Republic of Srpska established its Diaspora Register. The video practically shows all the steps for interested citizens to register, find answers to questions about the ultimate goal of the Register. The registration is free and safe – noted Klokić.

He added that the line Ministry would soon publish information on how many people had joined the Register so far.

The line minister says that they are proud of the fact that so far our people have registered from various parts of the world, mostly from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden and Greece, and many of them have joined also from Australia, the USA, Belgium and Canada.

– People contact us every day, and we receive queries from the associations that bring together our people in the diaspora, cultural and artistic societies, etc. We invite all diaspora members to join the Register and officially take the first step towards establishing a cooperation that would be mutually significant for both Srpska and the diaspora – said Klokić.

Satisfaction with Operation of Srpska’s Representative Offices Abroad

Klokić said that he was satisfied with the operation and activities of the representative offices of the Republic of Srpska abroad in the first half of this year, noting that these bodies marked the 30th birthday of the Republic of Srpska in their countries of operation.

– I am very happy about that fact, especially when I see the people in the diaspora not forgetting important dates but celebrating them with equal enthusiasm far from their birthplace – said Klokić.

He also stated that the representative offices were instrumental in promoting successfully the Diaspora Register, clarifying political positions of the Republic of Srpska in European bodies, organizing visits by Srpska’s officials to other countries, as well as many useful contests, courses and conferences.

Join Open Balkan Initiative

Klokić assessed that the Republic of Srpska would benefit greatly from BiH’s accession to the Open Balkan initiative, which would enable an easier flow of people, goods, services and capital, and thus a stronger economy.

– The economy of Srpska could be competitive also in other markets, i.e. positioned at the regional level, and investments would almost certainly increase – noted Klokić.

He pointed out that business environment in the Republic of Srpska was one of the most favorable in the region and that it would be recognized by investors as well.

– If some barriers were abolished through this initiative – it would enable arrival of certain capital in the Republic of Srpska. The problem of the flow of goods at the borders would also be solved – concluded Klokić.

Source: RTRS-SRNA

Photo: Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation