The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, prof. Draga Mastilović PhD, met today in Moscow with Ruslan Grigorievich Gagkuev, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Historical Society and Executive Director of the "History of the Fatherland" Foundation, to discuss improving co-operation between Serbian and Russian historians, as well as scientific institutions of the Republic of Srpska and the Russian Federation in the field of historical science.

"During the meeting at the headquarters of the Russian Historical Society, the need to foster a culture of remembrance was agreed upon, especially regarding the Second World War and the immense suffering of the Serbian and Russian peoples in that war. The importance of combating negative historical revisionism and the falsification of the history of the Second World War was emphasised," Minister Mastilović stated.

The importance of the work of the Representative Office of the Russian Historical Society in the Republic of Srpska was highlighted, and the continuation of co-operation between the Russian Historical Society and the Institute of Historical Sciences of the University of Istočno Sarajevo was agreed upon. This includes continuing the organisation of joint scientific conferences, which have been held for several years in November.

Minister Mastilović emphasised that co-operation with Russian scientific and research institutions is of great importance for the development of historical science and the preservation of shared cultural and historical heritage.

During his stay in Moscow, Minister Draga Mastilović also met with the Ambassador of South Ossetia in Moscow, Znaur Gasiev Nikolaevich, with whom he discussed possibilities for establishing inter-university and scientific co-operation. The meeting was also attended by Duško Perović, Head of the Representative Office of the Republic of Srpska in Moscow.

"We discussed the possibilities of establishing co-operation between the Republic of Srpska and South Ossetia in the fields of science and higher education. Readiness was expressed to develop institutional co-operation, with a particular focus on connecting universities and scientific research institutions," Minister Mastilović said, adding that a visit by the Ministry ofScientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska and the two public universities from the Republic of Srpska to South Ossetia has been agreed for June this year, when the signing of a co-operation agreement is also planned.