Republic of Srpska hosts the “2nd Diaspora Forum”

Over 200 people gathered from more than 30 countries second year in a row in an event which was hosted by President of Republic of Srpska, Mrs Zeljka Cvijanovic. The Diaspora Forum was the perfect opportunity to unite Serbs from homeland and abroad but also all the others who are keen in Serbian language, history, culture and overall development of Republika Srpska.

In addition, Republic of Srpska Representation in Brussels has been actively involved in assisting in the organization of the 2nd Diaspora Forum, as well as promoting and bringing Belgium and French diaspora representatives to Banja Luka. The aim of the 2nd Diaspora Forum was to establish permanent mechanisms for strengthening economic and cultural-scientific cooperation between the Serb and Serbian peoples in the dispersal.

BiH Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik stated that links between Republika Srpska and its Diaspora are extremely important for improving cooperation in all areas for the benefit of Srpska’s development.

“I am pleased that we are gathered here today to pave the way for our cooperation because we are part of one nation,” Dodik said at the opening of the Diaspora Forum.

He stresses as extremely important that the forum was going to discuss various forms of cooperation and that people from around the world were in attendance.

“It is very important we have an institutional framework for all this, the main condition for further action,” said Dodik.

He reiterated that a hard fight was being waged in Bosnia and Herzegovina to maintain the identity of the Serb people and the autonomy of Republic of Srpska.

The ceremony was also attended by the envoy of the Serbian president, Nikola Selaković, guests from the public, business, cultural, political life of Republic of Srpska, Serbia and the Diaspora.

Prime Minister of Republic of Srpska Radovan Višković stated that the cooperation with the Diaspora is of extreme importance for the development and prosperity of Republic of Srpska and that it is the Government’s priority to boost the economy and improve the standard of living.

“Regional and international cooperation is one of Republic of Srpska’s priorities. It is our diaspora that can contribute to a successful cooperation as well,” Višković said at the opening of the Diaspora Forum in Banjaluka.

Additionally, Republic of Srpska President said that the main goal of the Diaspora Forum, was to have firmer ties between Republic of Srpska institutions and the Diaspora.

"Through our cooperation, we demonstrate readiness to jointly take care of national, economic, political, cultural and other issues of importance for Republic of Srpska, of preservation of identity, but also readiness to find solutions to problems facing our people no matter where they live,” Cvijanović said on Thursday.

Additionally, the Diaspora Forum participants got the opportunity to get involved in rich discussions with the representatives of RS institutions and experts at all levels within the government.