ZAGREB, January 8, 2020 – The first days of 2020 saw the founding assembly of the Institute for Development of Croatia-Serbia Relations (IROHS), a civil society organisation from Vinkovci dedicated to promoting, analysing and researching relations between the two countries, with former Social Democrat MP Damir Rimac at its helm.
“The IROHS staff believes that by understanding the past we can build a better future in this area, regardless of whether we call it the region or Central or Southeast Europe. For quite some time, too little has been said in public about technologies, education, economy, mobility, culture, sustainable development and quality that exists both in Croatia and in Serbia,” said Rimac.
He said the establishment of the Institute was motivated by the need for the exchange of experience and the transfer of know-how, which, he said, both Croatia and Serbia need.
The institute aims to influence relations between the two countries in such a way to “close the book of memories and open a planner.”
One of the Institute’s first steps would be to send a letter to the two countries’ presidents, parliaments and governments as well as all other competent institutions, calling for the establishment of cooperation between them.
The establishment of cooperation with similar civil organisations and the start of dialogue is the plan for the first half of the year while in the second half, the goal will be to implement certain projects, said Rimac.
Rimac said that Croatian exports to Serbia and imports from that country amounted to around 500 million euro in the first 11 months of 2019, with exports from Croatia to Serbia being higher than imports, resulting in a 64 million euro trade surplus.
“From the economic point of view, there are no obstacles to increasing trade between Croatia and Serbia by 100-120% in the next two to three years or for the value of exports not to exceed one billion euros, which would make the surplus in trade with CEFTA countries exceed two billion euros. Croatia could profit In that segment alone,” said Rimac.
He said one of the priorities was also the establishment of cooperation in the area of preservation of cultural heritage, education and various technologies, sustainable development and disaster prevention.
More news about relations between Croatia and Serbia can be found in the Politics section.
