The first man of the Belgrade-Banja Luka International Cycling Race and the President of the Center for Development and Promotion of Sports Cooperation between Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, Vladimir Kuvalja, visited Thessaloniki, where he had a series of important meetings dedicated to strengthening cooperation between Serbia, the Republic of Srpska and Greece in the field of sports, with a special focus on cycling, work with youth, and development of international sports projects. Kuvalja met with Jelena Vujić Obradović, Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in Thessaloniki, Bane Prelević, Vice Governor for Extroversion of Central Macedonia, and Jelena Jovanović, Head of the Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Greece.

The Republic of Serbia’s Consul General in Thessaloniki, Jelena Vujić Obradović, said that this was the first official visit to Greece fully dedicated to developing cooperation in the field of sports between Serbia, the Republic of Srpska and Greece. ‘The cooperation between Serbia, the Republic of Srpska and Greece is of exceptional importance and I believe that it will expand further in the coming period through numerous sports, youth and other projects of common interest. Sport is one of the strongest bridges that connect peoples and states, and therefore such initiatives deserve full support,’ said Vujić Obradović.

The Head of the Republic of Srpska Representation in Greece, Jelena Jovanović, stated that the Republic of Srpska Representation in Greece supported strongly all activities that contribute to strengthening cooperation between the Greek, the Serbian and the people of the Republic of Srpska, especially in the fields of sports, youth, education and institutional connections. ‘Mr. Vladimir Kuvalja’s initiative is a significant step towards further development of sports cooperation between the Republic of Srpska, Serbia and Greece, but also towards creating new opportunities for young athletes, clubs, sports workers and organizations. It is through projects like these that we build lasting ties and open up space for new forms of cooperation that will benefit all parties,’ Jovanović noted. She added that sport had the power to connect people in the most direct way, through friendship, fair play, exchange of experiences and common goals. ‘Therefore, we believe that such initiatives are of particular importance for strengthening further the traditionally close and fraternal relations between the Serbian and Greek people. The Republic of Srpska Representation in Greece will remain a reliable partner for all projects that contribute to this goal,’ said Jovanović.

Such projects are also supported by Bane Prelević, Vice Governor for Extroversion of Central Macedonia, who said that sport was one of the most important links between nations. ‘Greece, Serbia and the Republic of Srpska have sincerely friendly relations and common values. Therefore, every project that contributes to connecting our peoples deserves support. It is especially important when sport becomes a driver of cooperation, because it transcends borders and connects people in the best possible way,’ Prelević stated.

The discussion focused special attention on the possibilities of developing cycling as a sport that connects firmly peoples and states, the exchange of experiences in organizing major sporting events, as well as new projects that would enable even closer cooperation between Serbia, the Republic of Srpska and Greece. The discussion also covered the establishment of a center in Central Macedonia to support athletes from Serbia and the Republic of Srpska during their preparations, training process and competitions in Greece, as well as a place for gathering and connecting sports organizations from the three friendly places. The Belgrade-Banja Luka international cycling race, which has been held for twenty years under the slogan People’s Race and represents a symbol of connecting Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, was one of the key topics of the meeting. It was the example of this race, which brings together teams and cyclists from all over the world, that was used to discuss new opportunities for cooperation and additional international positioning of the region through sport and cycling. The launch of official negotiations and activities that should lead to organizing one of the race stages on the territory of Greece was discussed. Such a step would be a new chapter in the development of the Belgrade-Banja Luka race and further confirm its international reputation and importance in world cycling.

Source and photo: Republic of Srpska Representative Office in the Hellenic Republic