The Representative Office of the Republic of Srpska in Austria organized a reception in Vienna on the occasion of 28 February – the day of the promulgation of the first Constitution of the Republic of Srpska.

The reception was organized in Albert Hall in Vienna and brought together representatives of Republic of Srpska institutions, the diplomatic corps, representatives of Serb clubs and associations in Austria, and other distinguished guests.

Addressing the audience, the Head of the Republic of Srpska Austrian Representation, Mladen Filipović, emphasized the importance of celebrating the dates and holidays important for the Serbian people outside the borders of the Republic of Srpska, and noted the importance of nurturing the ideas of unity and cooperation among the numerous Serb community in Austria.

– The promulgation of the first Constitution of the Republic of Srpska is an event of historical importance. The first Constitution was the foundation on which the Republic of Srpska was built, and today it is one of the pillars underlying its institutional and political strength. It is important that we gathered in order to send a message of unity, and that we will continue to nurture our identity, tradition and culture, while supporting peace and stability – said Filipović.

Filipović stated that the institutions of the Republic of Srpska and Serbia, together with the many Serb clubs and associations, were working to preserve the national identity and culture of the Serbian people, but at the same time to successfully integrate into Austrian society.

– Cooperation between the Republic of Srpska and Austria is our common goal, and the good relations so far in the fields of economy, education and culture show that there are friendly relations between us and a good basis for improving the cooperation – said Filipović.

Euro for Kosmet Children

The project A Euro for Serbian Children in Kosovo and Metohija, initiated by Milorad Arlov, the President of the Banja Luka-based humanitarian association Committee for Aid to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, was presented at this reception. Arlov invited our people in the diaspora to contribute to the survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo with a minimal contribution of one euro per month. For that purpose, Arlov signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the RS Representative Office in Vienna, which will coordinate this project. Arlov addressed representatives of Serb clubs and associations.

– I would ask everyone to help the Serbian people in KiM. Our desire is for the Serbian people to survive in KiM. We can hardly influence the political situation, but we can support their survival with the Serbian Orthodox Church, diaspora, representative offices and embassies. The survival of the Serbian people in KiM means a lot, because they are our greatest sanctity in Kosovo. I know it is hard for you in the diaspora and for us in the RS, but it is certainly the hardest for the Serbian people in KiM. We have a moral right and obligation to help – he underlined.

By the way, a non-governmental humanitarian organization from Banja Luka brings children from KiM to the RS every year, and this year the plan is to bring around 800 children.

Action throughout Diaspora

Arlov said that he would like to see associations from other parts of Europe and the world involved in this action.

– I think that one euro per month is not much. One euro per month is not a large amount for anyone, it is not even the value of a coffee, and if tens of thousands of people participate in the action, there would be huge funds with which we can implement large projects, he said and added that the first funds would be allocated to equipping the Day Care Center for children with developmental disabilities in Mitrovica.

Mladen Filipović says that it has been agreed to launch a humanitarian project, which would mean a lot to the Serbian people in Kosovo.

– We wish to send a message that our community in Austria supports the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija. A shared assessment is that the numerous Serbian diaspora can contribute to successful implementation of humanitarian actions and programs of the Republic of Srpska Committee for Aid to Kosovo and Metohija, and signing of the memorandum is a step in that direction – said Filipović.

One of the participants in the meeting with the guest from Banja Luka was Oliver Ranisavljević, the President of the Tyrol Association of Serbian Clubs, who supported this humanitarian project.

– I support this action because it is our little much for the people of KiM. Just one euro per month would help significantly to preserve our roots in KiM – he explained.

Filipović pointed out that, in cooperation with the institutions of the Republic of Srpska, the Austrian Representation would continue to provide support to Serb clubs and associations in the implementation of their programs, as well as in contacts with local communities and institutions in the Republic of Srpska and Austria.

– It is a great pleasure that we had the opportunity to organize today’s reception. The Representation remains committed to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Austria, and support on that path is our diaspora, which is very committed to promoting the potential of the Republic of Srpska and actively works on cooperation in various fields – said Filipović.

The reception was attended, among others, by the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Vienna Nebojša Rodić, Assistant Minister for Cooperation with the Diaspora in the Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska Helena Krnetić, representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Austria, and presidents of Serb communities from all Austrian states.

Извор: РТРС-Vesti online

Photo: Republic of Srpska Representative Office in the Republic of Austria