Diaspora and region Serbs meet in Belgrade

PM Mirko Cvetkovic says Serbia will be the region's leader in economic development in 2011 and 2012 and invited Serbs who live abroad to invest in the country. Opening a meeting of the Assembly of the Diaspora and Serbs from the Region in Belgrade on Wednesday, Cvetkovic stressed his deep belief that Serbia will get the EU candidate status and the start date for the accession talks by the end of the year. Diaspora and region Serbs meet in Belgrade He pointed out the importance of cooperation between Serbia and its diaspora, adding that Serbs living abroad had brought billions of U.S. dollars into the country since 2000. The Serbs living abroad are Serbia's ambassadors, and the government wishes to establish an even better economic, cultural and political cooperation with them, the prime minister stated. The creation of the assembly is of great significance for about four million Serbs who live around the world. Commenting on the government's economic policy, he noted that the main goals were to improve employment, living standard and economic development. "Serbia will be the region's leader in that area in 2011 and 2012, which is why I wish to use this opportunity to invite the diaspora to invest here," he remarked. Serbia and its diaspora have established a partnership relation, he stated, adding that the trend should continue in the future. (Beta) No changes to voting system Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said on Wednesday there should be system changes regarding the way Serbs living abroad vote in Serbian elections. The percentage of those who vote is still negligible, which is something that has happened since the introduction of a multi-party system, he told reporters. There are around 4 million Serbs living abroad, and a very small number of them vote in Serbian elections, although they can do so in the country's consulates and embassies worldwide.

Diaspora and region Serbs meet in Belgrade

He pointed out the importance of cooperation between Serbia and its diaspora, adding that Serbs living abroad had brought billions of U.S. dollars into the country since 2000.

The Serbs living abroad are Serbia's ambassadors, and the government wishes to establish an even better economic, cultural and political cooperation with them, the prime minister stated.

The creation of the assembly is of great significance for about four million Serbs who live around the world.

Commenting on the government's economic policy, he noted that the main goals were to improve employment, living standard and economic development.

"Serbia will be the region's leader in that area in 2011 and 2012, which is why I wish to use this opportunity to invite the diaspora to invest here," he remarked.

Serbia and its diaspora have established a partnership relation, he stated, adding that the trend should continue in the future.

No changes to voting system

Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said on Wednesday there should be system changes regarding the way Serbs living abroad vote in Serbian elections.

The percentage of those who vote is still negligible, which is something that has happened since the introduction of a multi-party system, he told reporters.

There are around 4 million Serbs living abroad, and a very small number of them vote in Serbian elections, although they can do so in the country's consulates and embassies worldwide.