NATIONAL MINORITIES AS EQUAL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 25 /SRNA/ - Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović said that members of national minorities in Republika Srpska are equal members of society who, through their cultural heritage and traditions, contribute to the overall character and values of Republika Srpska.

Cvijanović said she was pleased to visit representatives of the Association today, adding that they can continue to count on her support in their work. “We have been working closely together for years, and they are equal members of our society. When we raise salaries and pensions, build kindergartens or defend Republika Srpska, we also protect their interests,” Cvijanović told reporters. She added that they are dedicated residents of Republika Srpska who understand the importance of defending their interests. “But also that we all stand together in defending what are our common interests, namely a better Republika Srpska and its further development,” Cvijanović stressed. President of the Association of National Minorities Franjo Rover thanked Cvijanović for her visit, saying that it would go down in the history of the Association’s work. “For the 22 years that the Association has been operating, this is the first time that a member of the Presidency has visited us, and we know that we can always count on her help. She is a great friend of ours,” Rover said. He noted that the Association faces numerous challenges in its work and that support from the institutions is therefore very important. “We are the only association in BiH that brings together national minorities, and we currently have 35 member organizations, which operate independently. We represent 13 of the 17 officially recognized national minorities. We are very active and carry out 200 projects a year,” Rover said.