RUSSIA - SRPSKA RELATIONSHIP STRATEGIC; COOPERATION TO BE INTENSIVE AND STRONG

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 7 /SRNA/ – The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan, and the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to BiH Igor Kalabukhov agreed that Russia maintains a strategic relations with Republika Srpska and that cooperation in the fields of science, technology, and higher education will continue to be intensive and strong.

Minister Karan pointed out that memorandums of cooperation have been signed in the areas of higher education and scientific, technical, and innovation-related activities, whose objectives promote development and strengthen long-term ties in higher education. He stated that this encourages the development of direct ties between educational institutions of the Russian Federation and Republika Srpska, specifically in developing and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of science, scientific-technical and innovation activities, which will be reflected in the development and implementation of joint programmes and projects, thereby contributing to the advancement of scientific, scientific-technical, and innovative activities. Karan emphasized that the Republika Srpska - Russia cooperation is becoming increasingly strong, and that the universities in Banja Luka and Istočno Sarajevo have signed a number of agreements with numerous universities from the Russian Federation. These agreements, he points out, have resulted in collaboration in the areas of internationalization, mobility of academic staff and students, and joint organisation and participation in scientific research conferences, symposiums, and other gatherings. Karan noted that the Science and Technology Park of Republika Srpska and the Technopark St. Petersburg have initialed a cooperation agreement aimed at establishing and developing stable and long-term business cooperation in the field of innovative technologies. Minister Karan also pointed out that efforts should be made to promote the Russian language in schools in Republika Srpska. During the meeting, special emphasis was placed on the importance of building the Russian-Serb cathedral church in Banja Luka. Russian Ambassador Igor Kalabukhov says that the Serb and Russian peoples are connected not only through institutions but also through historical, cultural, and spiritual ties. "We are ready to provide support in every sense so that Republika Srpska feels secure. I am grateful for the enhancement of connectivity in the field of higher education and scientific-technological development, because the ultimate goal is to have practically applicable projects," Kalabukhov said. He praised the cooperation of Russian higher education institutions with the universities in Banja Luka and Istočno Sarajevo and emphasized that Russia would like to develop a network of cooperation with other cities as well, not just with capitals. The meeting was attended by the First Secretary of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Yuri Pichugin, and the Deputy Director of the Cultural Centre "Russian House" in Belgrade, Georgy Engelhart, announced the Ministry of Scientific-Technological Development and Higher Education of Srpska. Pichugin stated that priority projects include the implementation of free master's and doctoral studies in the Russian Federation for students from Srpska, who would return to their country after completing their education and contribute to its economic and industrial development, as well as the networking of universities from Srpska and the Russian Federation. He emphasized that in November, the first inter-academic conference will be held on the topic of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, along with lectures organised for all Russian language teachers in Srpska.