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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbs in diaspora receive substantial help

Belgrade, 23 March 2006

Serbian Minister of Diaspora Vojislav Vukcevic today said that in the past two years his ministry has offered substantial help to all Serbs who live in the region, especially in ex-Yugoslav republics. The ministry has also initiated the adoption of several laws important for position and rights of Serbs in the diaspora.

Vojislav Vukcevic at today's press conference

Speaking at a press conference devoted to the results of the ministry achieved in the past two years held at the Serbian government building, Vukcevic said that the Law on citizenship has been passed, while the Law on amnesty, which will free many young people who failed to do national service from the responsibility before the law, is currently in the parliamentary procedure.

Vukcevic recalled that the Ministry of Diaspora has initiated the adoption of a law on Serbian citizens and Serbs who live abroad. The Serbian Unity Congress demands that this law be called the Law on Serbian diaspora.

According to Vukcevic, this law envisages a solution to commissioner status and opening up of local diaspora offices. One such office has already started its work in Kladovo, while new offices will be opened in another 20 municipalities.

Vukcevic said that the ministry's initiative for the reintroduction of tariff concessions for import of things and equipment for personal use of returnees from the diaspora has been accepted, as well as the proposal for VAT abolition on humanitarian aid.

The minister recalled that on the initiative of the Ministry of Diaspora, the Serbian government appointed a Commission for the protection of property rights of Serbia over its immovables abroad.

He said that his ministry has also suggested a diaspora population census, since there is no precise statistic on how many Serbs live abroad, where they live, whether they visit Serbia or not. All these pieces of information are highly important so that Serbs in the diaspora can fully enjoy rights guaranteed by the Constitution and laws.

Vukcevic stressed that several events, such as a conference themed "Together in the united Europe – position and perspectives of the Serbian community in the countries of the region" and the Days of Serbia in Paris, London and Timişoara, were organised last year.