Serbia marks Statehood, Army Day

Serbia is today celebrating Statehood and Army Day, which coincides with the religious holiday of Sretenje (Presentation of Jesus). State and military honors were performed in Orasac, central Serbia, with Minister of Religion Bogoljub Sijakovic present. Serbia marks Statehood, Army Day In Belgrade, President Boris Tadic placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Hero on Mt. Avala. More ceremonies were held in Topola, the resting place of Djordje Petrovic-Karadjordje, the leader of the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Turk occupation. State and Army Day marks the day when in 1804 the uprising began in Orasac, but also the day in 1835 when country's first Constitution was adopted in Kragujevac. (Tanjug) Sarkozy and Obama congratulate Tadic on Statehood Day Presidents of France and the USA, Nicolas Sarkozy and Barack Obama respectively, congratulated Serbian President Boris Tadic on Monday on Serbia's Statehood Day, stressing their support to Belgrade in its efforts to establish the best possible relations in the region and in its European integration pathway, the Serbian President's press service stated. On behalf of the French people, Sarkozy said that, in the past year, Serbia has, owing to its persistence, crossed the essential stages on its path towards the European Union. I am genuinely pleased about this and I encourage you to continue making efforts in that direction, Sarkozy said. France has so far supported and will continue supporting your efforts on your EU integration pathway, he added. Taking into account Serbia's history, significance and influence, I believe that you will enable your country to fulfil its role, with the aim of strengthening peace and continuing the reconciliation process in the Western Balkans, Sarkozy stressed. On behalf of the American people, U.S. President Obama expressed heartfelt congratulations and best wishes, adding that the U.S. join the people of Serbia in highlighting the common, core values of tolerance, freedom and democracy. We remain devoted to supporting Serbia in its efforts to establish the best possible relations in the region, he added.

Serbia marks Statehood, Army Day

In Belgrade, President Boris Tadić placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Hero on Mt. Avala.

More ceremonies were held in Topola, the resting place of Đorđe Petrović-Karađorđe, the leader of the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Turk occupation.

State and Army Day marks the day when in 1804 the uprising began in Orašac, but also the day in 1835 when country's first Constitution was adopted in Kragujevac.

Sarkozy and Obama congratulate Tadić on Statehood Day

Presidents of France and the USA, Nicolas Sarkozy and Barack Obama respectively, congratulated Serbian President Boris Tadić on Monday on Serbia's Statehood Day, stressing their support to Belgrade in its efforts to establish the best possible relations in the region and in its European integration pathway, the Serbian President's press service stated.

On behalf of the French people, Sarkozy said that, in the past year, Serbia has, owing to its persistence, crossed the essential stages on its path towards the European Union.

I am genuinely pleased about this and I encourage you to continue making efforts in that direction, Sarkozy said. France has so far supported and will continue supporting your efforts on your EU integration pathway, he added.

Taking into account Serbia's history, significance and influence, I believe that you will enable your country to fulfil its role, with the aim of strengthening peace and continuing the reconciliation process in the Western Balkans, Sarkozy stressed.

On behalf of the American people, U.S. President Obama expressed heartfelt congratulations and best wishes, adding that the U.S. join the people of Serbia in highlighting the common, core values of tolerance, freedom and democracy. We remain devoted to supporting Serbia in its efforts to establish the best possible relations in the region, he added.