Republic of Srpska Primer Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic recently met with Province of Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Laura Albanese during her official tour of Canada, during which the leaders discussed further cooperation between their governments.

The leaders both expressed their desires to strengthen the ties between Ontario and the Republic of Srpska, with a primary focus on business. The meeting, which also included the Bosnia and Herzegovinian Ambassador to Canada Koviljka Spiric and the Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Brussels Head Mario Djuragic, also focused on the Serbian community in Ontario.

The meeting allowed the leaders to recognize the contributions the Serbian community have made to Ontario over the years, including playing a significant role in the province’s economic development. Cvijanovic and Albanese discussed how this cooperation can be better harnessed for increased cooperation through concrete and institutional measures.

Cvijanovic noted that she was open to a range of initiatives to further the ties between Ontario and the Republic of Srpska, declaring that she will support every good initiative that arises. In addition to the primary goal of increasing business ties, Cvijanovic expressed her support for measures to increase education, culture and tourism opportunities between the two governments.