The minister without portfolio in charge of relations with the diaspora, Đorđe Milićević, presented the results of previous work and introduced preparations for the development of a strategy on preserving and strengthening relations between Serbia and its people in the diaspora. Milićević said that Serbs outside the motherland insisted on the formation of a ministry in charge of cooperation with the diaspora.

At the final media conference of the year, the minister conveyed diaspora’s position that for Serbs in the diaspora it was necessary to create an appropriate institutional framework.

He also stated that it was necessary to work on strengthening the ties between the motherland and the diaspora and that these ties had to be based on cooperation, understanding and mutual respect.

Milićević defined several key steps necessary to achieve better relations with the diaspora, primarily related to bringing Serbia closer to its nationals living outside our borders, further networking of associations and organizations that bring together Serbs outside Serbia, and finally greater representation and dialogue within Serbian borders about the people living in the diaspora.

Milićević also emphasized the need for communication to be two-way and for Serbia to be able to assess the needs of its nationals living outside Serbia at all times. At the same time, they must know Serbia’s needs, and all together we must be aware of what needs to be done for Serbia.

Source: Sputnik

Photo: Tanjug/Nemanja Jovanović