A gathering bringing together scientists originating from Serbia and the Republic of Srpska who are now working abroad will be held in Banja Luka on 8 and 9 October, it was announced following a meeting between the relevant ministers of the Republic of Srpska and Serbia, Draga Mastilović and Bela Balint.

The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD, said that the Republic of Srpska seeks to create a stronger environment for the development of domestic science by providing greater support for research and establishing stronger links with relevant institutions in Serbia and around the world. He added that the knowledge and experience of scientists originating from the Republic of Srpska who work abroad should also be more actively incorporated into future scientific research projects.

He stressed that the Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republic of Srpska (ANURS) is the most important scientific institution in the Republic of Srpska and is therefore a key focus of the Ministry.

"This year, the Government of the Republic of Srpska launched activities aimed at increasing investment in science, with the goal of strengthening scientific research capacities and creating better working conditions for researchers," Minister Mastilović said following his meeting with Balint and President of ANURS Dragoljub Mirjanić.

He said the intention was to further develop scientific research cooperation between ANURS and the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) through systematic support, support high-quality projects, and enable researchers to become more actively involved in international scientific networks.

Mirjanić said that particular emphasis at the meeting was placed on scientific research projects, the organisation of scientific conferences, the publication of proceedings, researcher exchanges, and the establishment of stronger links with scientists from the Republic of Srpska living and working abroad.

"This year, nine scientific projects in various fields are planned with SANU, including the natural and mathematical sciences, engineering, biomedicine, chemistry and geology," Mirjanić said.

He added that the aim was to create new opportunities for the development of scientific research through joint work, as well as to increase the participation of researchers from the Republic of Srpska in international projects and conferences.

Mirjanić said that the aim of the forthcoming gathering in Banja Luka was for scientists working abroad to share their experience and knowledge with the scientific community and to establish lasting cooperation with them. He noted that building links with scientists in the diaspora could be highly significant in enabling researchers from the Republic of Srpska to participate in valuable international projects, major scientific conferences and other forms of international cooperation.

Balint said that cooperation between the Ministry, ANURS and SANU should be long-term and practical, based on joint projects, the exchange of knowledge and researchers, and stronger links between scientific institutions.

"Cooperation between the two academies already exists, and I hope it will be flexible and deliver results," Balint said.