Serbia celebrates Sretenje, its Statehood Day

Serbia celebrates Sretenje, its Statehood Day

The Serbian Army Guards will fire salvos from artillery weapons from Belgrade's Kalemegdan Terrace to mark the holiday.

Tomislav Nikolić will on Saturday organize a reception at the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic, his press service announced.

More ceremonies and gatherings will be taking place elsewhere in Belgrade, and in historic Oplenac, in central Serbia.

President presents medals

Also on Saturday, Nikolić will present deserving individuals and institutions with medals. The recipients include professor Itsuko Teruoka from Japan who will receive a gold medal for her exceptional engagement in humanitarian activities, and Stella Jatras from the U.S. who will be posthumously decorated for exceptional merits in public and cultural activities and presentation of Serbia in that country.

In his decree, Nikolić also posthumously decorated late president of the Anti-Corruption Council Verica Barać with a gold medal for exceptional merits in the fight against corruption and affirmation of human rights and rule of law.

The president also delivered a posthumous recognition to late police officer Goran Đorđević who was killed while on duty in Bujanovac and decorated him with a gold medal for exceptional merits in performance of duties and tasks in the security sector, the president's press service said.

The guardian of the Serbian military cemetery in Zeytinlik in Greece Đorđe Mihajlović was decorated with the Order of the Serbian Flag of the Second Degree for special merits in preservation of cultural and historic heritage of Serbia and development and strengthening of cooperation and friendly ties between Serbia and Greece.

Painter Petar Omčikus was decorated with the Sretenje Order of the Third Degree for special credits in culture and painting, and the Archive of Serbia was decorated for special credits in the preservation of cultural and historical heritage of Serbia to mark the 115th of the Archive's existence.

Leaders send Statehood Day messages

President of India Pranab Mukherjee congratulated on Friday Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić and the people of Serbia on Statehood Day, noting that the two countries are tied by longstanding friendship and mutual support regarding matters of vital importance, the embassy of India in Belgrade stated in a release.

"On behalf of the government and the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to extend my warm felicitations and best wishes to Your Excellency and to the friendly people of the Republic of Serbia on the occasion of your National Day", reads the message of the Indian President.

President Mukherjee emphasized that India and Serbia enjoy longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation marked by mutual understanding and support on issues of core interest.

"I am confident that our already close and warm bilateral ties will be raised, in the coming years, to a new level through multi-sectoral partnership, including enhanced trade and commerce", India's president said.

Serb Republic (RS) President Milorad Dodik sent his greetings to Nikolić on Friday saying that Serbia had strengthened its position domestically and internationally by moving forward with its EU integration.

"We are very pleased with Serbia's progress in EU integration, its displayed strength and ability to settle issues of national interest, which further solidifies its position domestically, regionally and internationally," Dodik stated.

He wished Nikolić and the people of Serbia for their country to continue growing stronger politically and economically, adding that "a stable and prosperous Serbia was in the utmost interest of the RS."

"I am convinced Serbia and the RS will continue their successful cooperation based on the agreement on special, parallel relations and that it will be to the benefit of all our citizens," Dodik pointed out.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Đukanović sent on Friday his message of congratulations to his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dačić, and noted that the period of comprehensive strengthening of cooperation lies ahead of Serbia and Montenegro.

"Montenegro and Serbia, in a spirit of traditionally good and friendly relations, develop dynamic and meaningful bilateral cooperation, and intensive, all-encompassing social dialogue, and EU integration and communication within the regional framework remain our firm commitments," Đukanović said.

As the Montenegrin government announced, he voiced confidence that the time comes for prosperous cooperation, realization of joint projects and numerous economic and other potentials.

Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović also on Friday sent his message of noting that Montenegro and Serbia should serve as an example of a cordial and enduring friendship.

In his note to Nikolić, Vujanović underlined that Montenegro and Serbia should be an example of a longstanding partnership in the interest of citizens of both countries and of their economies, and a positive message coming from the region.

“The close and friendly relations between Montenegro and Serbia throughout the history and in the modern times obligate us to preserve them in the future, in the interest of our citizens, our economies, and a positive message sent from our region, where Montenegro and Serbia should serve as an example of a cordial and lasting partnership,” said Vujanović.