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Presentation new tourism strategy of Sandžak
On Wednesday December 7 the European cross-border region of Sandžak presented its new tourism strategy in Brussels. On this occasion it hosted in the Résidence Palace a half-day seminar in presence of H.E. Dr Sulejman Ugljanin, Minister without Portfolio in the Government of Republic of Serbia and H.E. Rafet Husović, Minister without Portfolio in the Government of Republic of Montenegro.
Sandžak today stretches from the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina to Kosovo on an area of 8,403 square kilometres (see also the maps below). Six municipalities of Sandžak (Raška) are in Serbia (Novi Pazar, Sjenica, Tutin, Prijepolje, Nova Varos and Priboj), and five in Montenegro (Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje, Berane, Rožaje and Plav. Sandžak is the local Slavic transcription of the Turkish word sancak, which literally means "flag" or "national ensign" which was used as a term representing the "province" or district". Sanjaks originally were the first level subdivisions of the Ottoman Empire. They arose in the mid-14th century as military districts that were part of a military-feudal system. The region is referred to as either Novopazarski Sandžak (Sandžak of Novi Pazar), or simply Sandžak by local ethnic Bosniaks. The official administrative name of the region, however, is Raška District, Raška Oblast ( ). Internationally, during the Ottoman and Habsburg rule, the area was formerly known as the Sanjak of Novi Pazar meaning the Sanjak (district) of Novi Pazar. In medieval Serbia and the latter independent nation-state the region became increasingly referred to by its pre- Ottoman name (Raška).
During the seminar both excellencies stressed their absolute willingness to work together and indicated that an enforced cooperation in the tourist development and promotion of Sandžak could contribute substantially to fostering the peace process in the region.
Also MEP Mr. Eduard Kukan, Chair of the Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo Delegation of the European Parliament, delivered a remarkable speech where he stressed the necessity of the region of Sandžak to be permanently present in Brussels.
The new tourism strategy of Sandžak consists first of all of a carefully planned tourism development. This planning will be build upon four pillars:
- Identify the most important cultural and historical heritage in in Sandžak, and at the same time paint a picture of the past life and the cultural heritage of Sandžak in both countries (Serbia and Monetenegro).
- Preserve the most important cultural and historical heritage in in Sandžak.
- Establishment of a strong international cooperation to initiate the start and exchange of significant tourist flows.
- Bring the past life in the Sandžak region and its rich cultural heritage closer to inhabitants and visitors of Sandžak.
For more information please contact : wsosupportoffice@telenet.be
