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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Draft law on Diaspora presented

Belgrade, 2 December 2008

Minister for the Diaspora Srdjan Sreckovic today presented the draft law on the Diaspora which envisages stronger ties between Serbia and its Diaspora through the Diaspora assembly, Diaspora register and observation of the Day of the Diaspora.

Srdjan Sreckovic

Sreckovic told a press conference that thanks to this law, Serbia and its Diaspora will for the first time be linked through the Diaspora assembly, which will, among others include the Serbian President, Prime Minister, relevant ministers, representatives of the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Serbian Orthodox Church, Chamber of Commerce and the public media.

He said that the Diaspora assembly will form councils to deal with certain issues, for instance the Diaspora economic council, council for status issues and the council for cultural, educational and scientific cooperation.

The Minister noted that by adopting the law the government will show that it wants to lead a more responsible and rational policy towards its Diaspora, considering that one third of Serbs live in the Diaspora.

According to this law, the term Diaspora will refer to all Serbs living abroad, regardless of whether they are citizens of Serbia or not, explained Sreckovic.

He said that the law will introduce the Day of the Diaspora on June 28, St Vitus’ Day, adding that offices of the Diaspora may be opened in countries with a large Serbian Diaspora.

The law also envisages a register of the Diaspora, explained the Minister, adding that registering will be voluntary and the collected data confidential.

Registered Diaspora members will receive a “Diaspora ID” issued by the Ministry for the Diaspora, thanks to which they will later on be able to exercise their right to learn their mother tongue in Serbia, apply for grants and stipends and similar.

Sreckovic recalled that the debate on the draft law began yesterday and voiced his hope that the law will be finalised in January.

He added that the draft law may be viewed on the Ministry’s web site and that the working version has been sent to 2,400 associations and eminent individuals from the Diaspora.