The Republic of Srpska Office for Cooperation with the Diaspora has been established officially in Bijeljina, to operate under the Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation of the RS Government. This Office is proof that republic institutions and competent ministries follow the needs of the citizens of Bijeljina.

The Assistant Minister of European Integration and Cooperation Helena Krnetić told journalists that the focus of operation of this Office would be on cooperating with the diaspora, obtaining finance from EU development funds and organizing cultural, sports and other events.

– The Office will build strong ties with the people of Bijeljina who emigrated from the Republic of Srpska, and create an environment for bringing in foreign investors. So, the focus is on European funds and various technical and administrative tasks aligned with the competences of the Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation – Krnetić explained and added that the Office was opened upon initiative forwarded to the line ministry by the President of the Bijeljina City Assembly, Aleksandar Đurđević.

A prominent Bijeljina artist, the accordion virtuoso Dušan Sekulić also addressed the attendees and thanked the Government of the Republic of Srpska for opening the Office.

This initiative started in Bijeljina two years ago and I am happy that it has now materialized. There are many of our people in the diaspora, and I also lived abroad and studied, so I will do my best in the coming period to bring many Bijeljinians who have achieved notable results in the field of culture in other countries to our city, with the help of the Republic of Srpska Office for Cooperation with the Diaspora – said Sekulić.

Source and photo: Info Bijeljina