The conference was organized by the Pécs-Baranya Serbian Association and was attended by representatives of the Hungarian and Serbian parliament, regional and local self-governments, Serbian cultural, scientific and educational institutions and associations, as well as Serbian, Hungarian and Croatian media.

Greeting the attending on the behalf of the Serbian Parliament, Cotric said that “Serbia is committed to peace, stability and cooperation in the region, because that is in the deepest interest of Serbia and its people”.

“We respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all the countries in the region and we are grateful to Hungary and Croatia for their support of Serbia’s EU accession”, said Cotric.

He stressed that “strengthening the economy, its international reputation and joining the European Union” are Serbia’s priorities.

“Once Serbia becomes a full EU member it will be able to protect the rights of Serbs in other countries more successfully and efficiently”, said Cotric. He added that the Serbian Parliament would soon be deliberating on the Declaration on Serbs in the Region which addresses their “right to use the Serbian language and Cyrillic script, be informed, study and nurture Serbian culture, study national history, nurture the Serbian freedom-loving tradition, study national geography and preserve and protect the cultural and historical heritage”.

MP Cotric visited the Serbian Orthodox Chapel in Pécs and the Regional Centre of Serbs in Pécs.

Hungary is home to about ten thousand Serbs who, along with 12 other nationalities, have the status of national minority and cultural and educational autonomy.

On the behalf of the organizers of the conference Dr Predrag Mandic said that the assembly had “met its objectives and contributed to the exchange of experiences and programs, preservation and nurturing of Serbian culture, language and monuments, and formulation of cross-border cooperation projects to apply for EU funds”.