The minister without portfolio in the Government of the Republic of Serbia in charge of monitoring the situation, proposing measures and participating in the coordination of activities in the field of relations with the diaspora, Đorđe Milićević, and Republic of Srpska officials discussed in Banja Luka specific steps in implementing joint projects of importance for the Serbian people on both banks of the Drina.

With Republic of Srpska’s President Milorad Dodik, Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation Zlatan Klokić, and Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Đokić, Milićević also discussed the continuation of institutional cooperation in the fields of culture, education, protection of linguistic and identity heritage, as well as support for our compatriots in the region.

This support aims to improve relations between Serbia and Republic of Srpska, in accordance with the conclusions of the All-Serbian Assembly held in Belgrade last year.

Milićević and Klokić reached an agreement on improving mutual institutional cooperation, in the spirit of unity of the Serbian people and in accordance with the strategic framework established at the All-Serbian Assembly.

The cooperation of the relevant ministries will focus on implementing specific programs that enable the return of young families, create conditions for sustainable life in rural areas, and establish lasting ties between the diaspora and their native areas.

Special emphasis will be placed on supporting joint cultural events, educational programs, preserving the Serbian language, script, and tradition, as well as economic connectivity through encouraging diaspora investments in rural areas of Serbia.

This agreement opens a new phase of institutional networking in the Serbian national body, where ministries act as partners on the same task – preserving and strengthening the Serbian identity, regardless of state borders.

A substantive and constructive discussion with Dodik covered further steps in the implementation of joint initiatives agreed upon at the All-Serbian Assembly, which laid new foundations for joint Serbian national action.

The mutual and firm commitment to preserving Serbian national unity, improving institutional cooperation and fostering a common cultural, spiritual and historical heritage was declared.

Special emphasis was placed on the need for Serbia and Republic of Srpska to act as a single political, cultural and national space in the interest of the entire Serbian people, in full compliance with the Dayton Peace Agreement and respecting the existing institutional arrangement.

Source: Government of the Republic of Serbia

Photo: Dušan Veljović