The Minister without portfolio in the Government of the Republic of Serbia responsible for monitoring the situation, proposing measures and participating in the coordination of activities in the field of relations with the diaspora, Đorđe Milićević, said yesterday in Bor that representatives of local self-government were the first address for our compatriots from the diaspora who had decided to return to their homeland.

In a conversation with the Mayor of Bor, Aleksandar Milikić, and the President of the City Assembly, Dragan Žikić, Milićević noted the importance of strengthening cooperation between his office and local self-governments, building partnerships and discussing issues concerning returnees, as well as improving the quality of life.

He stated that it was very important to make a connection with our compatriots living outside the country, because there were many people holding important jobs in international companies and institutions. It is up to us to build the best possible relationship and two-way communication with our compatriots living beyond national borders, said Milićević, adding that this was the only way we could jointly see what we could do for Serbia.

On that occasion, the Minister invited representatives of the Bor local self-government to participate in the implementation of the project of traditional themed summer camps organized by his office. Milićević recalled that the program for children from the diaspora and the region had three thematic areas: science education and ecological education camp, cultural and artistic societies, and sports camp, noting that Bor had all the prerequisites to organize and implement this project.

He said that this year’s Diaspora Day would bring together a large number of our businessmen from around the world and representatives of associations and umbrella organizations that bring together Serbs outside Serbia, and that it was up to local self-governments to interest our successful people in investing and continuing their business in Serbia and in their local self-governments. The Minister stated that many of our compatriots around the world were willing to start their own businesses in Serbia, adding that his office was actively implementing programs that offer long-term and systemic solutions. We are willing to talk to everyone in order to fully implement the initiative for return of our compatriots to their homeland, he noted, adding that Serbia had completed the process of displacement and that now the process of return followed.

Source: Government of the Republic of Serbia

Photo: Denis Živković