Bulgaria Started Public Consultations on Amendments Its First EU to the Law on National Councils Presidency of National Minorities Held

42 Minorityd ecNember 2e017 –w januarys 2018

Radko Vlajkov: Bulgaria Will Show that There Are No Large or Small EU Members Complex Mosaic of The Hungarian Desk at the Organized for RTV celebrated the 50th the Second Time anniversary HIGHLIGHTS EDITORIAL 42 Bulgaria Started Its First EU Pre sidency "Public" Consu ltation s behind On January 1, Bulgaria to ok, for the first C l osed Doors time, the rota ting six-month Presidenc y New Yea r, new b eginning s, new chance s for a c hange .. . How ma ny tim es of the EU Co uncil. D u ring the Presi - have w e heard th is or similar phr as e and how m any times ha v e we just dency, Bu lgaria wi ll host nea rly 300 shak en our heads, beca use ou r desire for change w as to a g reat exten t diffe - events, twenty of which w ill be E U mee - rent from the wishes of those who decide on them, regardless of whether tings at the highest level. we belong to a m inority o r a majo rity? A pe ssimistic start? Maybe. And maybe just realism.

This year , m embers of n atio nal min orities expe ct regu lar elec t ions fo r mem - bers of national councils of n ation al mino rities. It is d ifficult to forecast in what atmosphere the pre-election campaign is going to take place, and whether d epolitizatio n of nationa l councils will fi nally be achiev ed, wh ich is one of the go als of am endm e nts t o the Law on Nat ional Council s of Nat ional Minorit ies. Th e Ministr y of Pub lic A dm inistratio n and Loca l S elf-Go vernment Public Consultations organized "pu b lic con su ltat ion s" on t hese amendmen ts in sev eral tow ns of H eld Ser bia with the s u pport of the O SCE Miss io n in Serbia. It is hig hly commen - dable that the effort was made to discuss the working version of the text at In December, the Ministry of Public such an early stage of preparing amendments to the law. However, public Administ ration a nd Local Self-Govern - I cons ultatio ns wer e n ot entirely pub lic. At leas t not w hen it com es to the first ment, with the support of the OSCE round of consultations, which was held in . The right to participate Mission to Serbia, carried out public in the consultations wa s giv en to the re prese ntatives of n ational counc ils, consultat ion s on the w orking text of member s of the work in g group for drafting a mendments to th e zbogLaw, w togahile the Draft Law on Ame ndmen ts to the mšedi a re presentativ es we re kindly asked to leave the meeting, or, to b e Law on National Councils of National more p recis e, they wer e allowed to attend the event o nly for th e first 3 mi - Minorit ies. Cons ultatio ns were held in Novi Sad, Novi Paz ar, Bujanov ac, Pe - nutes, so that they he ard the welco me spee ch of the ho s t, in this case, the trovac na Mlavi, and Bel - Provincial Sec retary for Educ ation , R e štogula uzdišemotions, Admi nzais t„starletama“ration and Nati okojenal grade. Msin orities - N ational Commu nities. W hen asked why it was not possible to attend the event, journalists received a short answer – this is not the event for journalists. They could not ask for any further explanation, because the doo r was alre ady shut in their face.

In su ch case s it is ne ce ssar y to ask th e q uestion why suc h consultation s are “Complex Mosaic organized if the right of participation is not given to the ones who will inform the p ubli c about them . Of co urs e, repre sentatives o f the me dia could su bmit of Serbia” Organized for the ir remarks and s ugge stions on t he working text o f am e nd ments to the t he Second Time Law, but w e all know that there is a world of difference between writing and mailing comments and suggestion and having a chance to ask the questions The Offic e for Hu man and M inority and pres en ting one’s comme nts and concer ns in per son, in a p ublic co nsul - Ri ghts organiz ed the "Complex M osaic tation. Public dialogue, public consultation, transparency ... In recent years, of Serbia" F estival for the seco nd t ime we have inc lude d these t erms in ou r everyday voca bulary , but the questi on at the Fair, marking the Hu - is how much we understand the meaning of the same. man Rights D ay. Natio nal minorities presented their cultural heritage, folk costumes, old crafts, gastronomic spe - cialties, handmade objects and books 30 d iffer ent national m inorities live in Serbia in minority languages at their stands.

The Go lden Ju bilee of the

Hung ari an Desk at the T elev is ion o f On January 8th, Hungarian Desk at the Television of Vojvodina celebrated the golden jubilee, the 50th anniversary of the begi nning of it s work. On the occa - sion of the anniversary, a rich program was organ ized in the Studio M of the Ra - sle er for all dio Novi Sad. and ONE new

www.minoritynews.rs Minority News Portal News Bulgaria Started Its First

EU Presidency Source: www.euroactiv.rs Photo: Sofia Globe

decade after joining the EU, The goal of the Bulgarian presidency is to they are in the zone or not. on January 1, Bulgaria took, for have a greater connection with the Western the first time, the rotating six- Balkan countries in the areas of transport, In the area of security and migration pol - month EU Council Presidency, energy, education... icy, the Bulgarian Presidency will work on with the enlargement of the Union as one long-term and fair solutions in the domain oAf the priorities and the ambition of achiev - Bulgaria is already making efforts to con - of asylum policy, effective policies for the ing a clear action plan for each candidate nect with the region in a better way, and return of migrants and readmission, country, without unrealistic expectations, a good example is to foster a European strengthening border control, and preven - but with concrete steps. The goal of Bul - digitalization policy among the Western tion. garia as the EU presiding country is to be Balkan countries through a gradual reduc - an intermediary, a political leader, and a tion in the price of roaming and increasing The priority of the Bulgarian EU Presi - coordinator, in order to respond to the real the opportunities for broadband. dency will also be a single digital market, needs of European citizens and turn chal - access to innovations, establishing a link lenges into opportunities, according to the The work by Bulgarian EU Commissioner between education and labor market Bulgarian Presidency website. for Digital Society, Maria Gabriel, has been needs, and the young people will be in done with this objective in mind. At the the focus of all actions. "It is time to work on a stronger, safer and EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia in more solid EU. Citizens of Bulgaria and the May 2018, Gabriel will announce a plan During the Presidency, Bulgaria will host EU expect us to find concrete solutions for to abolish roaming between the EU and nearly 300 events, 20 of which will be EU specific issues. The Bulgarian Presidency the countries of the Western Balkans. meetings at the highest level. will act in a transparent manner, it will be open to all European partners and, above In addition to the EU enlargement, Bul - The logo of the Bulgarian Presidency of all, to all European citizens", the Bulgarian garia's priorities will be the future of Eu - the EU Council shows the symbols of Bul - Presidency of the EU said. rope and the young, security and stability, garian identity - Cyrillic, traditional em - as well as the digital economy. broidery and the national tricolor. The au - Regarding the enlargement of the EU, it is thor is a Bulgarian artist Todor Angelijev stated that the Western Balkans needs a The Bulgarian Presidency stated that eco - and the logo reflects the idea that Bulgaria clear European perspective that will con - nomic growth and social cohesion are cru - is an integral part of Europe and at the tribute to the long-term peace, security cial for the future of Europe, that it is im - same time unique among EU members. and prosperity in the region, as well as the portant for member economies to connection between the countries of the continue to grow and that all EU countries Bulgaria took over the EU Presidency from region and with EU members. participate in the debate on the reform Estonia, and will deliver it to Austria on of the euro zone irrespective of whether the last day of June. 3 Minority News OUR INTERVIEW: RADKO VLAJKOV, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA There Are No Small or Large Member States in the European Union n January 1, 2018, a decade after joining the European Union, Bulgaria took the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time, at the moment when the Union faces perhaps the biggest challenges in its recent history. The slogan of the Bulgarian Presidency of "United We Stand Strong" reflects Bulgaria's strategic goal in the Presidency of the European Union in the next 6 months. We talked to Mr. Radko Vlajkov, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, about these oObjectives and challenges in front his country

On January 16, you presented four pri - many years now, precisely because we un - You've already mentioned that we have 4 orities for the Bulgarian Presidency. derstand how important it is for small Bul - priorities, and I will briefly look at each of Could you tell our readers something garia to show that there are no small and them. more about these priorities? big member states in the European Union. That the basic principle is that we are all The first priority is the Future of Europe and I would be very happy to answer this ques - equal and that we have equal voting Young People, primarily from the aspect of tion, because, taking over the Presidency rights. And that we can all contribute to economic growth and social cohesion. In of the Council of the European Union by the necessary reforms in this difficult mo - particular, I would like to emphasize that Bulgaria, presents us with an extraordi - ment. Let me now turn to your question. during this six-month period of the Bulgarian nary challenge. At the same time, it is a First of all, we have been thinking about Presidency, one of the most important tasks great honour. As you know, we have be - what is necessary for European citizens, will be the preparation of the Long-Term Fi - come a member of the European Union citizens of the European Union. They need nancial Framework for the period after 2020, ten years ago, and we are still “fine-tun - more security, stability and more solidarity i.e. adoption of the EU Budget. You know ing” our membership in the Union, and in order to live in a strong, digital and uni - that whenever a budget is being prepared, we have already assumed such a great re - fied Europe. And if we want to build in there are different interests, there are dif - sponsibility. This is even more challenging, practice these three pillars to which we ferent demands. Our desire is truly to be an keeping in mind that Bulgaria took over rely - security, stability and solidarity in impartial arbiter, to be a unifying country. the Presidency of the European Union six the next six months, we believe it can only In your question, you mentioned something months earlier because of the Brexit. It be achieved through consensus, compet - that makes us happy, which is that during was the turn of Great Britain to assume itiveness and something that is very im - these six months, the motto of the European the Presidency in the first half of 2018, portant for the new member states, such Union will be "United We Stand Strong". but, after the decision of the British citi - as Bulgaria, and for the future members, This is the motto of our country. It is written zens to leave the Union, we had to take it such as Serbia, - cohesion. Cohesion and on the National Assembly building. This is over six months earlier than originally cohesion policy are the most important the basic principle on which the European planned. And, of course, I can say with issues. Union was created by the 1957 Treaty of pleasure that we have been preparing for Rome. 4 Minority News Another issue, which is also extremely im - membership. I assure you that in the last statements from the current president, portant for all citizens of the European 6-7-8 months, as we were determining and then for the Prime Minister, Aleksan - Union, is Security and Stability in Strong our priorities, the main efforts of the Bul - dar Vučić on the need for a clear perspec - and United Europe. Literally in one sen - garian Government and the Bulgarian tive, because it motivates the reform tence, one of the basic issues that will be Prime Minister were focused precisely on forces. You yourself know that in October dealt with over the course of these six the persuasion of our partners in the EU 2017, Jean-Claude Juncker gave a state - months is the fight against terrorism. You about the necessity of returning the sub - ment, which is, I would say, extremely im - yourself know how important the terror - ject of EU enlargement to the Western portant for the region, and in this state - ism threat is for all EU countries, as well Balkan countries. We are really happy that ment all pieces fell into place. I am happy as for countries like Serbia, which is not we managed to convince our partners in that this has also happened as a result of yet a member. We are all concerned about this regard and, as a result, we can now Bulgaria's efforts. In the end, allow me to this phenomenon all over the world. Of say that our Presidency is the Balkan Pres - say one more sentence in this regard. Cou - course, a special attention will be given idency. It will be recorded in history as ple of days ago, I signed a document with to efforts to overcome the migrant crisis the "Balkan Presidency”. You asked me Minister Jadranka Joksimovic, and, in the and to solve the problem of asylum, as about the specific steps we will take dur - statement she gave after the signing cer - well as to the need to amend the Dublin ing these months. I can tell you that, al - emony, she presented one fact that I am Regulation. These are the problems that most every month, there will be events personally very satisfied with. Namely, she Serbia has been facing, too, and, although that are directly related to the issue of EU said that the support of the citizens of not yet a full member of the EU, Serbia enlargement and to the countries of the Serbia to EU membership is now over 50 has had very good cooperation with the Western Balkans. First of all, in February percent, to be precise it is 52 percent, al - EU in this regard. we expect the publishing of the Strategy though there were fluctuations in this re - for Serbia and Montenegro as the leading gard over the past few years exactly be - The third priority concerns the Digital candidates for EU membership from the cause of the lack of a clear perspective, Economy and the Skills for the Future - Western Balkans - this is precisely the for - resulting in lack of motivation of the peo - this is something we have been thinking mulation used by European Commission ple, of the society to support the reforms. about how to formulate for a long time, President Jean-Claude Juncker. Then, in Now the support is over 50%, it is 52%. as well as how to come to a consensus on April, regular reports on the progress of We see this fact as a result of the return this priority with our EU partners. First of countries in the region, especially Serbia, of the subject of enlargement to the EU all, it is connected with the modernization are expected. And then, in May, we come agenda, which makes us both satisfied of Europe, that we incorporate in all reg - to one of the culminations of our Presi - and happy. ulations the answers to the new chal - dency in regard to the Western Balkans lenges that modernity brings on us. First priority. On May 17, a summit of EU lead - In addition to Bulgarians, Bulgaria is of all, I want to draw your attention to a ers and leaders of the countries of the home to many ethnic groups, such as unique digital market. We have to take Western Balkans will take place in Sofia. I Turks, Roma, Armenians and others. into account how new technologies affect do not know whether this fact means any - What are the specificities of the legal our society and how they modernize it. thing to your readers, but, as a profes - framework in which members of ethnic groups can exercise their rights? And last, but not the least, I deliberately sional diplomat and a politician, I very well left this priority for the end of the answer. understand its great significance. In 2003, Bulgaria, as well as Serbia, pays special According to Bulgaria's assessment, this the last meeting was held in Thessaloniki attention to the respect of human rights. is one of the most important priorities, during the Greek Presidency, with the In our case, ever since the beginning of and it relates to the European perspective countries of the region - but not all Balkan the changes in 1989, we have paid special and, I emphasize, the connectivity of the countries – participating in it. Now, it is attention to this problem. In the period Western Balkans. I can say that we cannot clear to you that this issue has been mar - of the totalitarian state, these rights were imagine that the European Union project ginalized for 15 years. Among other things, marginalized, even suppressed. But we is completed, unless the countries of the as a result of the 2003 meeting, countries have come to the point when our legisla - Western Balkans take part in it and, of like Bulgaria and Romania were given the tion in this area is extremely modern. First course, to this end, I am very pleased to opportunity to join the European Union. of all, I would like to emphasize that our place Serbia here first. We are happy to So, the upcoming meeting is really filled legislation, our Constitution is in line with have been able to convince our partners with many expectations. But I want to say all the most important documents in the in the EU about this priority. It will con - very clearly here: the main expectations, field of human rights and the rights of eth - tinuously be in focus during our presi - the main efforts are aimed at creating the nic groups and national minorities that dency. most favourable political climate for the exist in international law, in European law. consideration of the progress of each Our Constitution is fully aligned with these One of the priorities of the Bulgarian country. However, it should also be em - documents. In our domestic legislation, presidency is the European Perspective phasized that it depends on each country we have a number of normative acts that and the Connectivity of the Western how and how quickly they will join the guarantee these rights and prevent dis - Balkans. Given that Bulgaria is a neigh - Union. Or, in other words: the doors are crimination based on sex, nationality, so - bour and one of the closest allies of Ser - wide open! And it depends on individual cial status, religion, and so on. And that bia and other Western Balkan countries countries, and, in this case, on Serbia in is, I think, very important. In response to in their efforts to achieve full member - particular, when they will pass through your question, I would like to note several ship in the European Union, what are the the doors. But I would still mention some - key points in regard to the exercise of specific steps that you will take under thing else. When, at the beginning of the rights of ethnic groups. Above all, they this priority? mandate of this European Commission in can express their identity, first through 2013, Jean-Claude Juncker made clear use of language and education in their As you have accurately pointed out in your that there will be no enlargements during question, Bulgaria is indeed not only a mother tongue. In this regard, there are this mandate, this was discouraging news. all legal norms in force in Bulgaria, how - neighbour and a close friend, but one of And as an ambassador, I have attended the most active advocates of Serbia's EU ever, the question is how to implement many meetings here or heard different them. One of the most serious issues that 5 Minority News our society faces in this regard, and I care, too, so that people in very remote people who have suffered a lot. These would like to talk about a special case areas, in inaccessible parts of the country, are the people who have suffered for here, refers to the Roma. I assure you that have all conditions to live as normal life decades, and now, instead of using all in the last 15-20 years, Bulgaria has made as all other Bulgarian citizens. the rights that the state has given them, great efforts in order to integrate Roma they still face incredible difficulties. Not into society. Unfortunately, the results are According to the 2011 census, 18,543 only are new foreign investments re - not what one should expect from such members of the Bulgarian national mi - jected in this town, but the scarce exist - energetic efforts. But, in any case, signifi - nority live in the Republic of Serbia who ing ones are forced to leave, too. This is cant progress has been made. Especially exercise their rights to self-government the area, the town, in which a single per - in the field of education, the efforts that in the field of education, culture and of - son makes decisions about everything, tend to start children's education from ficial use of languages and script through determines whether someone will be ex - pre-school age, I mean Roma children, and the National Council of the Bulgarian Na - amined by a doctor, whether someone this the issue is linked to the social assis - tional Minority. How closely do you work will continue education in Bulgaria or not, tance they receive, so that parents under - with the Bulgarian National Council and etc. I would even say that this is the town stand their responsibility. Sometimes we what do you see as the biggest challenges with a feudal rule. These people do not have, unfortunately, paradoxical situations in which it is possible to make the great - deserve it, and I think that people have in which parents themselves should be est progress? already realized that it is high time they pupils, too, because, as you know, in the I will talk to a greater length about this took things into their own hands. Roma community, mothers are often 12, issue, which, to me, seems to be very im - 13, 14 years old, and fathers are 13, 14, I would like to reiterate that the state of portant. First of all, the Bulgarian national Serbia gives very wide rights in the field 15 years old. It is the age when they them - minority suffered for many years in the selves have to be educated. So, children of education and use of mother tongue, past due to the assimilation policy. The in the media of national minorities. At are born, they grow up, and come into totalitarian system was responsible for the situation of becoming parents while the legal level, the Serbian state, I would it, and I am not referring only to former say, is flawless, but, when it comes to they are still of school age. This is a very Yugoslavia, but also to the Bulgarian to - serious problem that we are facing and the implementation of the law at lower talitarian state, which closed its eyes for levels, things take a different course. Or, for which we trying to find a solution. I decades. People were too afraid to de - do not want to single out only the Roma as we have a saying in Bulgaria, I'm still clare themselves as Bulgarians. They not sure if there is an adequate transla - as a separate group. I can tell you that were afraid of losing their jobs, this was each of the ethnic groups in Bulgaria, and tion for it in Serbian: "The emperor gives, also a fact. So, for one reason or another, but the cop does not let it through!" I especially those larger groups, such as the their number has decreased, dramatically Turkish, Armenian, Jewish and other eth - am sure there is an analogue in the Ser - decreased. I looked at statistics, the offi - bian language, so you understand what I nic communities, each has a guaranteed cial statistics for the period from 1953 to right to education in their own language, mean by it. At the highest level, things 1981. During this time, the number of are really what they need to be - in a and there is no discrimination in terms of the Bulgarian minority was reduced by origin, education and the use of languages modern, European way. But, at the level more than 40 percent, which was the re - of implementation, when these things related to their origins. I even prepared sult of the aforementioned short-sighted statistics on how many children from dif - need to become a daily routine, people policy. Glory to God, as we say in Bul - face great problems. ferent ethnic groups have decided to study garia, as you in Serbia say “Thanks to in their mother tongue. The numbers are God”, the time has changed. Glory to You asked me about the National Council. very indicative. I will not talk about big God, Serbia and Bulgaria are nowadays In my opinion, national councils in the numbers, I will extract small ones. For ex - different countries. We are now modern Republic of Serbia represent an ex - ample, in 2008-2009, a Bulgarian citizen, countries who realize that the rights of tremely important achievement of or, to be more precise, his parents, be - all individuals, regardless of their origin, democracy and respect for the rights of cause he was a child, asked to be educated regardless of their faith, regardless of the national minorities. National councils are in the English language, and we enabled specifics they may have, must be re - legitimate bodies that represent a living him to study in his mother tongue, be - spected. And, in this regard, I believe that link between minorities and the Serbian cause he is a child from a mixed marriage, the Serbian state has done a lot in the state. A national council should make full his father was English, and his mother was last few years, and we can gradually be - use of the rights the state has vested in Bulgarian, or vice versa, or they both came gin to feel these changes. Unfortunately, it. However, if a national council is pas - from abroad to live in Bulgaria. Likewise, the desired results can not be reached sive, even if it has a low level of compe - we have education in Arabic, Armenian, over night. In the year and a half I have tence, such a national council cannot be Greek, Hebrew, etc. In 2008-2009 we had served as the ambassador here, I have of benefit to the people it represents. I another interesting situation, when one constantly kept appealing to our compa - know that in the Republic of Serbia, in child wanted to be educated in the Ger - triots of Bulgarian origin, constantly say - the autumn of 2018, elections for na - man language only that year, and the fol - ing to them: "Do not be afraid! Do not tional councils of national minorities will lowing year decided not continue with it. be ashamed!", Serbia is different, Serbia be held. I sincerely hope that all national I would not even talk about all the cases gives you the opportunity to say proudly: minorities, and, most of all, the Bulgarian of education in the Turkish and Armenian "I am Bulgarian! " And nobody will suffer minority, will choose the right people languages. I have used the aforemen - any consequences, because this is really who will protect their rights. Who will tioned examples to show how much at - the case. As one of the most difficult protect them hand in hand with the Ser - tention we pay to this issue. We recognize problems, I would pinpoint the economic bian State. And to use the climate that it as one of the most serious issues con - underdevelopment of the municipalities exists, to use this, I would like to under - cerning the protection of the rights of eth - in which the population of Bulgarian ori - line it, the excellent political will of the nic groups and, generally, of people who gin is predominant. To this end, I would Serbian state. I emphasize - excellent po - are in some sort of a minority position. particularly single out Bosilegrad. Bosi - litical will! In order not to break the fine Enormous efforts are being made espe - legrad is a very sad town. It is a town thread between the State and people cially in the field of education, in health with amazingly good people, but with who represent the minority. 6 Minority News News The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Finances Projects in the Field of Human and Minority Rights n Wednesday, Janu - porting on this topic, with the ary 24th, at the press protection of human rights, conference "Support the strengthening of democ - of the Republic of racy, and the principles of Bulgaria to the EU Accession good governance in Serbia as POrocess of the Republic of Ser - the ultimate goal. bia", which was jointly organized in the Media Center by the Cen - Dušan Janjić, the President of ter for Migration Studies, the Fo - the Board of Directors of the rum for Ethnic Relations and the Forum for Ethnic Relations, Lawyers Committee for Human announced the beginning of Rights, YUCOM, these organiza - the work of the Academy for tions presented their projects in Interethnic, Intercultural and the area of human and minority rights that pressed the solidarity of its country with Inter-confessional Dialogue - AID, a project will be financed by the Ministry of Foreign Serbia on its path to the EU. that will be implemented in 2018 through Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria in 2018. a series of trainings, research, roundtables, Milena Vasić, speaking on behalf of the YU - and a summer school of publishing. As he The participants in the conference were COM Human Rights Lawyers’ Committee, said, while the Forum throughout its activ - greeted by the Ambassador of the Republic presented the project "Human Rights be - ities supported education and encouraged of Bulgaria to the Republic of Serbia, Radko yond Chapters", which aims to strengthen the public engagement of young people, Vlajkov. In his opening speech, Ambassador democratic institutions in Serbia and sup - one of the major problems faced by both Vlajkov reflected on the priorities of the port the European integration of Serbia, pri - its organization and other stakeholders who Bulgarian EU Presidency in the first six seek to systematically deal with issues of months of 2018, stressing the importance national and other minorities, and mutual of the Western Balkans. As he said, Bulgaria dialogue, remains to be a lack of experts, has consistently supported Serbia in the especially young people. In addition, there process of EU accession from the very be - is a notable lack of quality processing of ginning. Support to Serbia represents a per - these topics in education and scientific re - manent goal of our country, he said, and search. The project of the Academy for In - this support will continue until Serbia's de - terethnic, Intercultural and Inter-confes - finitive accession to the EU. Since 2015, the sional Dialogue - AID Forum will try to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic respond to the aforementioned challenges. of Bulgaria has financially supported this path of Serbia in areas such as strengthening Biljana Jović, President of the Center for Mi - democracy, processes in the non-govern - gration Studies, presented the project "Mi - mental sector and building a civil society. marily by implementing the Action Plan for nority News as a Comprehensive Media Accordingly, last year, funds earmarked for chapter 23. As she explained, the project is Platform for Improving Minority Policy and Serbia amounted to more than half of the aimed at the citizens themselves, with an Practice in the Republic of Serbia", which total allocated funds. In 2018, financial re - emphasis on vulnerable groups - national has been implemented for six years in co - sources for Serbia are doubled and amount minorities, LGBT population, women, per - operation with the National Councils of Na - to 700 000 Euros. The Ambassador also sons with disabilities, etc. through the pro - tional Minorities. She reminded the atten - stated that for the first time Bulgaria has vision of free legal aid, at representatives dees that the project also includes, in agreements with the state institutions of of the media through training of journalists addition to the web portal and monthly the Republic of Serbia, with civil society or - in Vranje, Zaječar, Subotica and Belgrade electronic newsletters in Serbian and English ganizations, as well as with the Office of the on how to report on cases of discrimination, languages, the weekly TV program National Ombudsman. Vlajkov emphasized the im - hate crime and hate speech and at general Minorities Chronicle. The support of the Re - portance of the field of human and minority public through raising public awareness of public of Bulgaria will provide for modern - rights in the process of accession to the Eu - the problems faced by minority groups at ization and daily operation of the portal, ropean Union, and the continued progress risk and the consequences of disrespect of monthly issuance of newsletters, and also in this field is significantly contributed to by human rights through an active campaign a monthly printed insert Minority News in civil society organizations whose projects in the media and on the Internet. As Vasić the Serbian language and one of the lan - will be supported by these funds. At the concluded, the project is designed to in - guages of national minorities in the Danas end of his address, Ambassador Vlajkov clude support to the individual - both im - Daily in the next six months. As Jović an - stressed that the Republic of Bulgaria with mediate legal assistance to those whose nounced, the first Minority News insert in full confidence supports Serbia in the human rights are at risk, and training for the daily newspaper Danas will be published process of reforms implementation and ex - journalists and reporters dealing with re - on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. 7 Minority News News Ružić: The National Minorities Fund Increased Twelve Times Source: Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Photo: MDULS inister of Public Administration "We therefore increased these funds in the to the EU and Chapter 23, but it is much and Local Self-Government, budget for 2018 by 20 million dinars, or more important that we arrange our rela - Branko Ružić, stated that in the twelve times", Ružić said. tionships with each other in order to live year 2018, RSD 21.8 million was the better life and realize that diversity allocated for the Budget Fund for National He assessed that national minorities are an makes us even richer", Ružić said. MMinorities for financing programs and proj - important asset for Serbia and the strongest ects in the field of information in the lan - link to the partners in the region, adding In addition, in order to fulfil the criteria de - fined in the negotiating chapter "Chapter 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights" with the EU and the National Minorities Action Plan, several legislative initiatives have been put in place, in which the representatives of national councils were actively involved. The Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Free - doms of National Minorities and the Law on the Official Use of Languages and Scripts have already been submitted for delibera - tion to the Government of the Republic of Serbia. As one of the most important leg - islative activities, the preparation of the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on National Councils of National Minorities is also underway. Ružić said that the first version of the draft guages of national minorities, which is 12 that the issue of the position of citizens of was prepared in cooperation with the na - times more than last year. other nationalities in Serbia should not be tional councils and that they also conducted viewed only through the prism of Serbia's public consultations on this working text, He said that, in 2017, the Budget Fund for obligations in negotiations with the EU. which, as he added, was a completely new National Minorities was activated for the practice. He noted that he believes that first time after 15 years and that the funds "Improving the position of national minori - they are on the good track to produce a allocated for this fund in 2017 were very ties and securing the conditions for exer - high quality draft law that will satisfy all in - small, 1.800.000 dinars. cising their rights is important for our path terested parties. Revision of the Action Plan for Chapter

23 by Autumn Source: B92 erbia will revise the Action carry out the revision of the Action Plan," the area of judiciary, which he is currently Plan for Chapter 23, after Backović told RTS. working on with the experts of the Venice which new deadlines will be Commission, will be published by mid-Jan - set for fulfilling obligations in He stated that "deadlines will be set only uary. relation to this Chapter. after we have determined what needs to S be changed. And then we shall see what "After a series of discussions with civil so - As the Head of the Negotiating Team for the realistic deadlines are for the imple - ciety, we paid attention not only to what Chapter 23, Čedomir Backović said, the mentation of the activities envisaged by was said, but also to what was not said, entire work in this regard should be com - the Plan. We believe that all this work will not only to those who participated, but pleted by the autumn. be finished sometime in autumn", he said. also to those who did not participate in the discussion, because it all has its "We intend to start the analysis right after He announced that the first working text weight", the Head of the Negotiating Team the holidays, on the basis of which we will of the amendments to the Constitution in said. 8 Minority News News Public Consultations on Amendments to the Law on National Councils of National Minorities Held n December, the Ministry of Public Administration and Lo - cal Self-Government, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, carried out public consultations on tIhe working text of the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on National Councils of National Minorities. The first public consultation was held in Novi Sad on November 29, followed by consulta - tions in Novi Pazar, Bujanovac, Petrovac on Mlavi, Subotica and Belgrade. Consultations were attended by mem - bers of the working group for the drafting of the law, representatives of national councils, civil society and others. As the State Secretary, Ivan Bošnjak, who was the President of the Working Group, stated during the first consultation, one Photo : Mađar so of the results of the new Law on National Councils of National Minorities should language in acts of national councils, the because the cultural autonomy and its also be greater transparency of the work depolitization of their members, the re - implementation have actually collapsed of the Council. "The legal solution speci - duction of competences over educational in this pre-draft," DZVM President Csonka fies more precisely the work of the na - and cultural institutions, etc. According Aron said to the Portal. tional councils based on the competen - to the portal www.subotica.com, the rep - cies vested in them for the four areas, as resentatives of the Hungarian minority Representatives of the Croatian minority provided by the Constitution. I expect are dissatisfied with the proposal that believe that the whole process was not even more transparent management of the minutes of the council meetings, sufficiently inclusive and that there was finances and, if possible, additional de - no partnership between those who politization. New drafted the working text and the elections for na - national minorities, while Mirko tional councils of Bajić, president of the Bunjevac As - national minorities sociation of Bačka, believes that will take place next members of the leadership of po - year, too, and we litical parties have the right to par - expect that this le - ticipate in the election of National gal solution will Councils, since, as he noted, polit - strengthen citizens' ical parties of national minorities participation in the are envisaged by law and, if regis - work of national tered as such, their leaderships councils, and closer should have the right to participate links between state in the work of the council. bodies, national councils and the Public consultations were con - public in Serbia, Photo : Ministarstvo državne uprave i lokalne samouprave cluded at the round table in Bel - which will be in grade on December 18th. On this the best interest of our society", the State other than in their mother tongue, also occasion, State Secretary Ivan Bošnjak Secretary said at the consultation in Novi have to be taken in the Serbian language. pointed out that the need for a clearer Sad. President of the Democratic Community definition of the authority, organizational of Vojvodina Hungarians Csonka Aron be - and personnel structure of the council, However, minority representatives lieves that the proposal is not in line with as well as the need for a more transpar - agreed that the draft working text of the the provisions of the Constitution, which ent management of taxpayers' money, Draft Law reversed existing minority states that every nation can speak in its which finances the work of national coun - rights. At the roundtable in Subotica, the mother tongue. "We believe that the so - cils, are not only the demands of domes - criticism of minority representatives was lutions offered in this pre-draft or work - tic actors, but also the suggestions of rel - mostly related to the use of the Serbian ing version are actually a step backwards, evant international organizations. 9 Minority News News Complex Mosaic of Serbia Organized

he richness of ethnicf doiversrity tehqualely lik eSs aned recspoects nall itds cit izTens,ime is our treasure of which we and every difference is appreciated, ac - are all proud and which cepted, and we want them to be pre - makes our country recogniz - served", Vulin said. able in the world. How different we are, bTut at the same time, similar was shown The fair was organized in cooperation at the festival "The Complex Mosaic of with the national councils of the Hun - Serbia" organized by the Office for Hu - garian, Slovak, Czech, Roma, Montene - man and Minority Rights on December grin, German, Bulgarian, Romanian, 10 for the second time. The festival took Croatian, Bunjevac, Ruthenian, Ukrain - ian, Vlach, Macedon - ian, Greek, German and Ashkali national minorities. National minorities presented their cultural heritage, folk cos - tumes, old crafts, gas - tronomic specialties, Hlas ljudu handmade objects and books in minority lan - so many people and nationalities that guages at their stands. are mutually understood and living in this region," she said. Republic Deputy and President of the Cul - The Bunjevac National Minority was tural Artistic Soceity also presented with its cultural her - "Heroj Janko Čmelik" itage. According to Suzana Kujundzic- Kancelarija za ljudska i manjinska prava from Stara Pazova, Ostojic, President of the National Coun - Ljibuška Lakatoš, as - cil of the Bunjevac National Minority, place at the Belgrade Fair, where repre - sessed that it is good that the fair is or - Bunjevci presented two fertility festivals sentatives of state institutions, national ganized again, because, as she said, it - Christmas and Duzijanca. "We have councils, tourist organizations, civil soci - is important to understand that we are linked these two holidays and we ety organizations and others participated all different, and in fact we are all equal. wanted to show everything we do from in addition to representatives of minority communities. The event was opened by Suzana Paunović, Director of the Office for Hu - man and Minority Rights. On this occa - sion, among other things, she pointed out that the festival is the best way to send a message about the importance of human rights and the complex multi - cultural mosaic that exists in Serbia. Ac - cording to her, Serbia is committed to implementing the Action Plan for Chap - ter 23 and its obligations. The event was also attended by the Min - ister of Defense, Aleksandar Vulin. Ac - cording to the RTS, the Minister pointed out that representatives of national mi - norities in Serbia are the bridge for co - operation in the society. Kancelarija za ljudska i manjinska prava "Every national minority has a very pos - "It is therefore good that such mani - straw, from which we live, from which itive role when it comes to our society festations are more often organized, in we made art and what is adorned by and we are trying to keep it that way just order to understand that this is actually the end of the year," Kujundzic-Ostojic as it will remain. The Republic of Serbia the richness of Serbia, that there are said. 10 Minority News Information in the Languages of National Minorities - Sidetracked Minority Media between the Rock and the Hard Place n December 2017, the Inde - in the media to the national councils national minority communities out of pendent Association of Jour - was abolished in 2014 by the decision Vojvodina, the problem of their funding nalists of Vojvodina issued the of the Constitutional Court, this ruling still remains", Žužana Serenčeš con - second report “Information in has not had any impact whatsoever on cluded in the report. the Languages of National Minorities – the founder’s rights that had already SideItracked“. The report was drafted by been transferred to the national minor - The Strategy for the Development of the NDNV experts, and the project was sup - ity councils before this decision was is - Public Information System in Serbia was ported by the international organization sued. "Keeping in mind that, by the time no longer valid at the end of 2016. Initially, Civil Rights Defenders. We recall that the of the ruling, only the national minority the development of a new strategy was first report was published in October communities living in Vojvodina had announced for the end of 2017, but we 2017. are witnessing that its drafting is still underway. In the report, In the second report, the authors Nedim Sejdinović recalls that due Žužana Serenčeš, a media ana - to certain announced solutions, lyst, and Nedim Sejdinović, the as well as the methodology used President of the Independent in the drafting process, "relevant Journalists Association of Vojvo - journalists and media associa - dina, have put emphasis on the tions" - the Independent Associ - public consultations on the wor - ation of Journalists of Serbia, the king text of the Draft Law on Association of Journalists of Ser - Amendments to the Law on Na - bia, the Independent Association tional Councils of National Mino - of Journalists of Vojvodina, the rities, as well as on the provision Media Association, the Associa - of information in the languages tion of Independent Electronic of national minorities and har - Media, Press and Association of monization with the new Stra - Online Media left the working tegy for the Development of Pu - group. Sejdinović notes that it is blic Information System. not clear why there is a high de - Serenčeš warns in her findings gree of lack of interest of the me - that the opportunity and the dia community in the field of in - need to determine and specify formation in the languages of not only the founding rights of national minorities. As stated at national councils of national mi - the working meetings, apart from norities, but also the principles the representatives of the Coali - of their responsibility are again tion of Journalists and Media As - missed. "Many years of experi - sociations (NUNS, NDNV, ANEM, ence (the Assembly of Vojvodina AOM and Lokal pres), nobody in 2004 transferred its founding else recognized the importance rights in a number of minority of the freedom of media and the newspapers to the national mi - removal of political pressures on noirty councils) have shown that the media that provide informa - it is a particularly big problem tion in the languages of national with the media in which na - minorities. "Other actors dealt tional councils (even indirectly) have the with the rights of minorities, role of founders related to the issue of used the right to transfer the founder’s more precisely minority elites, the role of editorial autonomy of these media and rights to the national minority councils, the state and national councils in this the influence of minority national coun - as a consequence, the national minori - process, the financing of media and media cils, that is, political parties that have a ties living in Vojvodina are now privi - contents, and the quality of information dominant role in the editorial policy of leged in comparison with other national was only mentioned in a very superficial those media", the report noted. "The minority communities in Serbia (Albani - way," the report concluded. ans, Bosniaks, Bulgarians, Vlachs). These greatest surprise in regard to the work - We recall that the Ministry of Culture and ing version of the legal solutions on the communities are discriminated against in this respect, since either they do not Information invited the representatives national minoirty councils is in the fact of the Coalition to return to the working that it failed to formulate a completely have their own media at all or they have not been provided with the systematic group for the media strategy, however, clear systemic solution prescribing the the Coalition did not accept the invitation way the work of minority media in which fudning by the state, as the provincial media have. Possibility for the national because, as they stated, not only do the national councils indirectly play the reasons for leaving this working body still founders’ role will be funded in the fu - minority councils to be the founders of the media, however, still continues to exist, but, in the meantime, there are ture“, the report notes. "While the pos - new ones that have become evident, too. sibility of transferring the founding rights exist, but, in practice, in the case of the 11 Minority News News Unique Christmas Spirit hristmas holidays are nerable families in our country. among the most beautiful holidays of the year. All be - Festive moods were also felt by visitors lievers will agree with this. to the Second National Minority Fair Family gatherings, children's smiles in that took place on December 10th. And frCont of a luxuriously decorated Christ - after that, numerous Christmas festivals mas trees just complement this great followed, the number of which has holiday. The spirit of Christmas could been growing in recent years. It is pre - be felt already on December 3rd at the cisely because of the unique atmos - traditional Christmas diplomatic charity phere and feelings that this holiday bazaar. On this occasion, representa - brings, we are sharing with you part of tives of over 40 countries gathered and the atmosphere from numerous Christ - donated all the income to the most vul - mas fairs.

Hlas ljudu www.subotica.info

Bunjevci Hlas ljudu

www.subotica.com

12 Minority News Hungarian Community The Golden Jubilee of the Hungarian

Desk at the Television of VojvoSodurcien: Vaja dasag Ma Photo: Hungarian n January 8th, the Hungarian Desk at the Television of Vo - jvodina celebrated the golden jubilee, the 50th anniversary oOf the start of its work. On the occasion of the anniversary, a rich and comprehensive program was organ - ized. An exhibition on the history of the Television Vojvodina was organized in the foyer of the Studio M of the Radio Novi Sad, followed by a gala program featuring contents created in fifty years of the Desk’s work. Many authors, directors, stage designers, professors and public figures spoke on the occasion of the anniversary in the pro - grams of the Hungarian Television of Vo - jvodina on participation in the work of the editorial staff. The Day of Hungarian Culture

Celebrated in Senta Source: Vajdasag Ma Photo: Hungarian hanks to our cul - holic priest of the Salesian Order, ture, we survived as the President of the Scout Associa - individuals, as a tion of Vojvodina Hungarians, the community and as a director of the Student Home in nation," State Secretary for Culture Mužlja, Stojan Kalapiš, art colony a„t the THungarian Ministry of Human organizer, Mezei Erzsébet,, and lan - Resources Peter Hopal said at the guage and folklore researcher, reti - central Vojvodina celebration of the red professor, Antal Penovac. Hungarian Culture Days at the Cul - ture Center in Senta on January The Golden Plaque was awarded to 12th. the President of the Association "Rakoczi", Dr. Jozsef Halc. The In the official program, the Presi - awards were received by the music dent of the Cultural Union of Vojvodina achieved together, dreaming together, but scientist Agnes Nagy Abonyi, the head of Hungarians, Sutus Aron, greeted the at - all this would not have become a reality the tamburitza orchestra and the presi - tendees, and noted that the celebration without the active support of the Govern - dent of the Cultural Center "Mendicus" of the Day of Hungarian Culture in Vojvo - ment of Hungary and the nation with in Chantavir, Robert Vereš, the Cultural dina is linked to the work of three promi - Christian basics," Sutus Aron noted in his Association of Hungary "Delibab" in Senta, nent figures. These are Hajnal Jenő, Karol speech. the Association for Local History Research Dudas and Szöllősy Vágó László, who, in "Monography" in Stara Moravica, and the the field of culture, managed to create During the ceremony in Senta, awards Association "Bratstvo -Jedinstvo" in Mar - cooperation throughout the Carpathian were given to the Cultural Alliance of Voj - tonos. Basin. vodina Hungarians. The lifestyle prize "The Hungarian Tree of Life" (Magyar Életfa Díj - At the ceremony, awards were presented "In all of this, we all play the main role, ban) was awarded to the organizer of cul - for the most beautiful books in the Hun - everything we have achieved, we have tural life in Doroslov, Diósi János, the Cat - garian language in Vojvodina. 13 Minority News Slovačka zajednica Annual Prize of the Institute for Culture of Vojvodina in the Hands

of Miroslav Benka, Too Source: Hlas Ljudu n December 14, also received numerous pres - the annual tigious awards (, awards of the In - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, stitute for Culture Egypt ...). of Vojvodina were presented iOn the Hall of the Provincial "This prize is very important Government. Laureates re - to me, because it is difficult ceived the awards from to present yourself n your Miroslav Štatkic, Provincial own environment and to Secretary for Culture, Public stand out in your own envi - Information and Relations ronment. And when you are with Religious Communities. recognized in your own envi - ronment, this means that you Among the winners is the ac - really deserve that reward. tor, director, screenwriter and This prize is also binding. This designer, Miroslav Benka means that you must not from Stara Pazova, who re - stop, always have to fight, go ceived Medal for multiculturalism and in - His creative expression and contribu - ahead, think, if possible, ahead of your terculturalism. tion to the world trend of non-verbal time and do your best", the winner of theatre is recognized abroad, where he the award, Miroslav Benka said. “Slovak Story” at the Cultural Center

of Novi Sad Source: Cultural Center of Novi Sad he opening of the exhi - The exhibition "My Slovak Story" consists bition of photographs by of 34 photographs created during the Petar Dešić "My Slovak four-year fieldwork, and a special em - Story" was held on phasis is put on the Slovak folk costume, Wednesday, January 17, at the Youth which represents the author’s initial im - CTlub of the Cultural Center of Novi pressions. The photographs show the Sad. This exhibition, which presents scenes of children, the relationships of the life of the Slovaks from 24 vil - older and younger people, the portraits lages from these areas, was opened of the elderly, as well as the visit to ceme - by Her Excellency Dagmar teries on All Saints holiday. Repchekova, the Slovak Ambassador in Serbia. The exhibition in the KCNS will last until January 31st, and then it will be moved On behalf of the host, and in the at the National Museum in Pančevo, and presence of Vesna Srdanov, the Head Slovakia in Belgrade last December, and subequently to Golubac. of the City Administration for Culture, the that it received very positive com - guests and the audience, Sunčica ments by all visitors. Marković, Assistant Director of the Cultural Center of Novi Sad, addressed the author, "The exhibition faithfully depicts thanking Dešić for illustrating Slovak cus - the life of the Slovaks here in Vo - toms, tradition and culture. jvodina, Slovak souls are shown in these photographs," her Excellency Ambassador Repchekova expressed her said, reminding that Slovakia cele - satisfaction that the exhibition "My Slovak brates 25th anniversary of its in - Story" raised great interest of the people dependence this year, whereas, in Novi Sad. She noted that Dešić's exhibi - the Slovak community has lived in tion was earlier shown at the Embassy of Vojvodina for 250 years. 14 Minority News Romanian Community New Bridge of Good Neighbourly Relations Source: RTS n the occasion of marking the National Holiday of the Ro - manian National Minority in Serbia and 15th anniversary of the first assembly of the National Coun - cOil of the Romanian National Minority, a Protocol on Cooperation between the Serb Union in Romania and the National Council of the Romanian National Minor - ity in Serbia was signed in Vršac in De - cember. Considering the traditionally good rela - tions between Romania and Serbia, con - sidering the necessity of promoting the achieved degree of cooperation be - tween the Romanian national minority from Serbia and the Serbian national mi - nority from Romania, with mutual de - sire, and on the principles of mutual re - spect, agreeing to work on Patru, Consul General of Romania in Vršac, Local Self-Government of the Republic of strengthening the process of Euro-inte - George Dinu, Secretary of the Alliance of Serbia, Ivan Bošnjak, and Consul General grations with the motto " together in Serbs in Romania, Zlatiborka Markov, Ser - of Romania in Vršac, George Dinu, ad - Europe ", in the premises of the National bian MP in the Romanian Parliament, dressed the attendees and the media rep - Council of the Romanian National Mi - Slavoljub Adnadj, the Vice-Presidents of resentatives. nority, the President of the Serb Alliance the Alliance of Serbs in Romania, Borko in Romania, Ognjan Krstić, and the Pres - Jorgovan and Dejan Popov, the General Celebration of the National Day of the ident of the National Council of Roma - Director of the Alliance, Radmila Dragotoj, Romanian National Minority in Serbia nians in Serbia, Danijel Petrović, signed as well as numerous representatives of and the 15th anniversary of the first as - the Protocol on Cooperation and further the Serbian and Romanian media. sembly of the National Council of the strengthened the good Romanian National Minor - neighbourly and ity was continued at the friendly relations of the Vršac National Theatre two countries, aiming "Sterija", where a gala at improving the coop - concert was held. The par - eration through the ticipants had the opportu - joint implementation of nity to greet the orchestra future activities in the and the choir of the Na - mutual interest of the tional Council of the Ro - Romanian minority in manian National Minority Serbia and the Serbian and vocal soloists, who, minority in Romania. through numerous per - formances at various The signing of the proto - events, promote Roman - col was also attended by ian folklore, as well as the state officials from insti - special guest, Pero tutions in Serbia and Ro - Todorović, with Tambu - mania, prominent fig - ritza orchestra "Timisoara ures of the Romanian Memory Books" under the minority in Serbia and direction of Tomo Djurić. the Serbian minority in This evening, the orches - Romania, church digni - tra gave the long tradition taries and representatives of cultural and After the ceremonial signing of the Proto - of the Timisoara tambouritza players artistic circles. State Secretary in the Min - col the President of the Alliance of Serbs with a rich repertoire of Serbian and istry of Public Administration and Local in Romania, Ognjan Krstić, and the Presi - Romanian folk songs, virtuosity, warm Self-Government of the Republic of Serbia, dent of the National Council of Romanians and powerful voice of Pero Todorović Ivan Bošnjak, Second Secretary of the Em - in Serbia, Danijel Petrovic, State Secretary and a great performance as a gift to the bassy of Romania in Belgrade, Aleksandar in the Ministry of State Administration and audience. 15 Minority News Roma Community Annual Press Conference of the Roma National Minority Council Source: Roma National Minority Council t the final annual press confer - meeting, they agreed to sign the Protocol ation and implementation of a number of ence of the National Council of on Cooperation between Office of the joint projects. the Roma National Minority, Deputy Prime Minister and the Roma Na - held in the premises of the tional Minority Council. In addition to this Deputy President of the National Council Roma National Council in Belgrade on De - meeting, Ramadanović particularly empha - of the Roma National Minority, Jelena ceAmber 22, the work of the new leadership sized excellent cooperation with the State Jovanović, paid special attention to all of the National Coun - strategic documents that cil of the Roma Na - were adopted by the tional Minority in the Government of the Re - past 100 days was pre - public of Serbia, aimed at sented to the public. improving the status of the Roma community. The conference was She highlighted positive attended by a large examples of good coop - number of news agen - eration with local self- cies, radio and televi - governments in Vojvod - sion companies. Jour - ina, as a result of the nalists were addressed readiness of the provin - by the President of the cial administration led by National Council of President Mirović to the Roma National Mi - solve the problems of the nority, Tefik Roma community. Ramadanović, and the Jovanović said that the deputy presidents, Roma National Minority Duško Jovanović, Je - Council is a serious part - lena Jovanović and Ni - ner of a large number of noslav Jovanović. local institutions that count on assistance in The President said implementation of all ac - that, in the previous three months, the rep - Secretary in the Ministry of Construction, tivities directed towards the Roma com - resentatives of the Council had the oppor - Transport and Infrastructure and the Pres - munity. tunity to meet with the Deputy Prime Min - ident of the Governmental Council for In - ister of the Government of the Republic of tegration of Roma, Nenad Ivanišević, as Ninoslav Jovanović, Deputy President of Serbia and the Head of the Coordination well as with the Minister of Youth and the National Council of the Roma National Body for Monitoring and Implementation Sports, Vanja Udovičić, with whom the co - Minority, spoke about plans for 2018. He of the Strategy, Zorana Mihajlović. In this operation was agreed in regard to the cre - said he expects the education and employ - ment of the Roma community to be priority areas in which they will work intensively. Deputy President of the National Council of the Roma National Minority, Duško Jovanović, took the opportunity to thank the media for their interest in the work of the Roma National Minority Council. The great interest of the media is another indi - cator that the Roma National Minority Council is one of the most visible national minority councils in Serbia. "What is most important for me is the signing of the Pro - tocol on Cooperation between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Na - tional Council of the Roma National Minor - ity, which is expected right after the holi - days. The abolition of the quota, as well as the provision of scholarships for Roma sec - ondary school students and college and university students, will be one of the most important tasks for the next year", Duško Jovanović concluded. 16 Minority News Croatian Community Fifteenth Anniversary of the First Issue

of the "Croatian Word" MaSourrcek: wewwd .subotica.com n January 26, on the oc - segments over the past 15 years, casion of the 15th an - but that it has remained the same niversary of the publica - in the key aspects. tion of the first issue of the weekly in the Croatian language, - We monitor all events within the aO public celebration took place at the Croatian community in terms of cul - Open University, when an exhibition ture, tradition, identity, official use of photographs of the front pages of of language and education, but we this weekly was also opened. also try to see all the events that are important for every citizen in The “Croatian Word” News Publishing this country from the perspective Institute was founded by a decision of the Croats in Serbia. Also, we fol - of the AP Vojvodina Assembly in 2002 low bilateral relations between Ser - with the aim of providing information to tendencies, or to make a kind of fusion of bia and Croatia, everything that happens the members of the Croatian national com - print and digital media. That is why we, munity in the Croatian language on a non- on this day, have activated our website, profit basis. The first issue of the “Croatian and we have also made an effort to Word” Weekly was published on January launch a page on Facebook, where read - 31, 2003, and, on the same day this year, ers can read the short text and see what the 771st Weekly will be issued. is offered in our weekly. We have also changed the design of the weekly, and - For 15 years, the “Croatian Word” has fol - we consider that the current look of the lowed various political changes, events, cul - “Croatian Word” is more appealing to tural events, the work of institutions and all ages of our community, and, of cultural and artistic societies with a Croat - course, to the broader public, as well - ian sign, as well as the activities of our com - Ivan Ušumović, director of the Croatian munity in Vojvodina. Our weekly went News Publishing Institute said. through various changes, and as its design in the field of minority rights, the process changed, the contents and sections were Editor-in-chief of the “Croatian Word” of joining the European Union, and what it adapted to the time in which we live. The weekly, Jasminka Dulić, said that the con - looks like from the perspective of the na - plan for the future is to adapt to modern cept of the magazine has changed in certain tional minorities - Dulić said. Great Recognition of the Work

of Ante Sekulić Source: Croatian Word n the Great Hall of Croatian nition of his long-standing work on the Heritage in , the 2017 study of the ethnic, cultural, literary and Christmas Seeting of the linguistic history of the Bačka Croats. Croatian Heritage was held, where, among other things, apprecia - "I see this recognition of the work of tionI awards were granted to the de - my late father in several dimensions. ceased members of this important Croa - First, to him personally and to his life - tian cultural institution by the Croatian long work, and then to the city and to President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović. The the people from which he came. The famous Croatian linguist and cultural mark they left behind during their life - Croatian President's award showed that historian, the correspondent member time. The Appreciation Award of the she has the ear for the problems of the of HAZU, a Croat from Bačka, Ante President of the Republic of Croatia is a Croats on the other side of the Danube Sekulić, was also among the twenty lau - great acknowledgment and reward for and that this Award is a sign the she is reates. the overall work and contribution to the listening to us, and some guarantee she improvement of the Croatian national will continue to listen to the Croats in Welcoming the participants, the Presi - and cultural identity. Bačka. I would like to add on this occa - dent of the Croatian Heritage, acade - sion that we are, at the moment, work - mician Stjepan Damjanović, emphasized On behalf of his father (Ante Sekulić ing on the preparation of my father's the contribution of the deceased mem - died on March 18, 2016 in Zagreb), his collected works", Ante Sekulić jr said for bers of the Heritage and the undeniable son Ante Sekulić jr. received his recog - the Croatian Word. 17 Minority News PublikacijuThe issu podržavaance of t hFondacijae newslett zae rotvoreno is suppo rdruštvo,ted by th Ambasadae Ministry Sjedinjenihof Foreign A Američkihffairs of th Državae Repu bizl iBeogradac of Bulga riia. MisijaOpini oOEBSns ex up rSrbiji.essed Mišljenja in the ne objavljenawsletter d ou nbiltenuot nec eness apredstavljajurily represen tnužno the o ffizvaničnecial pos istavovetons of tvladahe do nor. i organizacija koje finansiraju projekat