The Government of the Republic of Srpska adopted the Information on activities in the field of cooperation between the Republic of Srpska and the diaspora for 2022.

The information includes the activities implemented in 2022 by the Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation and by other competent republic administration bodies in coordination with the Ministry, regarding improvement of cooperation and communication with the diaspora, and strengthening of trust. The activities in the field of diaspora are planned by the underlying documents adopted by the Republic of Srpska Government, i.e. the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan for Cooperation with the Diaspora and the accompanying Action Plan.

The strategic documents envisage, among other things, continuous improvement of diaspora communication and records. For this purpose, information campaigns and media activities were carried out to promote key activities of the Ministry and adequately inform the diaspora.

‘The Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation has supported many projects concerning cooperation with the diaspora in various aspects. Numerous meetings were held between representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Srpska and representatives of the diaspora, activities in the field of economic cooperation with the diaspora were supported, as were the activities of local self-government units’, announced the Government of the Republic of Srpska.

According to the Government, an important role in cooperating with the diaspora is played by our representative offices abroad, which are in direct contact with our emigrants and can adequately convey the views of the republic institutions.

The Information also highlighted cooperation with the Republic of Serbia, in particular with the Directorate for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region, with which joint activities are planned taking into account the identical diaspora, language, culture and tradition.

Key activities

The Republika Srpska i dijaspora Internet portal for the diaspora is updated daily by the Ministry; an e-mail address has been established for questions, proposals and suggestions and two-way communication, and Republika Srpska i dijaspora Facebook page has been launched, for the purpose of informing emigrants from the Republic of Srpska abroad about events in the Republic of Srpska and expanding the reach of the diaspora as much as possible. The website is also translated into English in order to make it accessible to interested persons from the diaspora and abroad, and an application was created for Android devices.

The Diaspora Register has been established and supported by an information campaign on the importance of joining the Register, with the aim of obtaining an overview of the representation, qualifications and interests of the diaspora.

Also, the Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation produced the brochure The Republic of Srpska and the Diaspora. The brochure includes topics covered by the institutions of the Republic of Srpska in relation to the diaspora, and presents advantages of investing in the Republic of Srpska, which will be of interest to potential investors from the diaspora. It is available in both electronic and printed form.

Source and photo: Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation