MASTILOVIĆ: DEVELOPING COOPERATION WITH RUSSIAN REGIONS IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE

MOSCOW, MARCH 13 /SRNA/ - At the opening of the Third Russia–Balkan International Forum today in Moscow, the Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska, Draga Mastilović, said that Republika Srpska attaches great importance to developing cooperation with the regions of the Russian Federation in the fields of science and higher education.

"The scientific and educational cooperation between Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation has been significantly strengthened in recent years thanks to the University of Banja Luka and the University of Istočno Sarajevo, which have signed cooperation agreements with numerous Russian universities," Mastilović said while addressing the Forum. He said that cooperation with the company Rostec is particularly important, as it plays a major role in the future scientific, research, and technological development of Republika Srpska, according to a press release from the relevant ministry. The topics of this year's forum include various aspects of relations between Russia and its Balkan partners, logistical challenges in bilateral cooperation in the context of Western sanctions, the potential of the Russian Federation as a center of modern expertise in digitalization and new technologies, as well as the prospects for successful Balkan business projects in Russia. The Forum, which will be held over two days at the World Trade Center in Moscow, is attended by representatives of Balkan countries and 16 Russian regions. The forum has been held since 2024 and has established itself as a leading international conference to discuss economic and humanitarian issues regarding Russian–Balkan cooperation. So far, more than 200 delegates from regions of the Russian Federation, the Balkans, and countries of Eastern Europe have taken part in the Forum, including representatives of the diplomatic corps and chambers of commerce, businesspeople, public figures, politicians, and professors. The event is organized by the Center for International Cooperation Russian–Balkan Dialogue and the Russian–Balkan Center for Business Cooperation and Culture.