Opening the meeting, the Committee Deputy Chairman opined that the topic of the meeting, relationship between the diaspora and the mother country, is a matter of some importance for the Republic of Serbia, and meetings such as this one are the best venue to exchange opinions and raise the relationship between the motherland and the Serbs in the region to a higher level, which, he believes, there is ample room for.

On the occasion, Linta stressed that the Serbian diaspora’s vast potential, closely connected to the social, economic and cultural development of the mother country, should be fully utilised. He also added that the Committee members have recognised the wish and efforts to base the relationship between the mother country and the Serbs in the region on mutual respect and appreciation because that is the only way to address serious issues.

The participants of the meeting were also addressed by the Honorary President of the Dr Archibald Reiss Friendship Society Count Philippe Piccapietra who said that, besides fostering ties between Switzerland and Serbia, it is of paramount importance not to repeat past mistakes. “It is essential to connect history and culture and unite those ties with Serbia. We are an institution with a long tradition and we want to see Serbia remain a firm and strong state”, concluded Count Piccapietra.

The participants also discussed the initiative to organise a series of events in May 2016, titled “Days of Archibald Reiss”, interparliamentary cooperation and improvement of relations between the Serbian diaspora and the media in Serbia. They also spoke about Serbia’s European integration process.

Besides the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region Miodrag Linta, the meeting was also attended by Committee member Aleksandar Cotric, on the behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Ambassador Dr Ljiljana Niksic, and on the behalf of the Dr Archibald Reiss Friendship Society by Honorary President Count Philippe Piccapietra, President Zvonko Jovanovic, Vice-President Prof. Dr Olivier Ribaux, members Stojan Stevanovic and Djordje Gajic, and Society Secretary Zoran Jovanovic.