European flag flying in Belgrade

To the tune of the European anthem, the European flag was raised for the first time above the National Parliament in Belgrade. The official raising of the flag was originally meant to take place in May when Serbia assumed the presidency of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, but was postponed until today. European flag flying in Belgrade The postponement came as a result of a Council protest at the election of Tomislav Nikolic (SRS) to the post of parliamentary speaker in May. Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis voiced the opinion that the raising of the European flag was a symbol of rapprochement between Serbia and the EU. "I would like to express my hope that the process of Serbian rapprochement will improve the lives of the ordinary citizens," said Davis. "Serbia’s an integral part of Europe geographically, culturally, historically and politically. This flag which has been raised today is my flag and your flag. It is indeed our flag," he said. The official ceremony was held to mark European Flag Day, and the main celebration of European Heritage Day, which is being held in the capital from September 20 to 23. Greeting his guests, Parliamentary Speaker Oliver Dulic announced that this was an "important day, because the European flag will henceforth stand next to the Serbian one." "I hope we’ll do everything within our power to be a part of Europe soon, accept European standards and work a lot," said Dulic and expressed the hope that Serbia would become a member of the EU as soon as possible. To the tune of "The Ode to Joy" pupils from five Belgrade secondary schools raised the flag, before singer Marija Serifovic sang the Serbian national anthem, "Boze Pravde". Davis presented the singer with a handkerchief embossed with the symbol of the Council of Europe, and the ceremony was brought to a close with a children’s choir’s rendition of the"The Ode to Joy" in six languages. The ceremony on the square in front of the parliament building was attended by guests from abroad, participants of an international Round Table dedicated to common European heritage, as well as a dozen or so citizens. Traffic on Nikola Pasic square was brought to a halt as the flag was being raised. The ceremony of raising the European flag (FoNet) Serbia’s European journey The European Commission’s (EC) main aim is to support Serbian integration, announced the EC Belgrade, office chief Josep Lloveras. At a news conference in Belgrade, where the main celebrations are taking place to mark European Heritage Day as part of the festivities linked to Serbian assumption of the Council of Europe presidency, Lloveras said that European integration above all pertained to common European values. National heritage is an incarnation of common European values, said the EC representative, adding that dialogue on national heritage was a way of encouraging dialogue on these values. Council of Europe Secretary General Davis stressed the importance of the event, adding that he was "a big fan" whenever the Council's work was concerned, which was absolutely essential for the Balkans. Davis said that "Serbia is not on the threshold of Europe, but is rather a part of Europe," and that that was proven by her presidency of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. Parliamentary Speaker Dulic said that the European Heritage days were important because Serbia could show that it was a strong and important part of that heritage, as well as demonstrating the extent to which the people and the state had taken part in something that could be viewed as European integration. Dulic expressed the hope that today, the day Belgrade lifted the European flag, would be the first step in respecting that flag as a symbol of what the Serbian people should aspire to, namely becoming a part of Europe. "Both materially and otherwise, heritage is a bearer of identity, individuals and social communities," said Culture Minister Vojislav Brajovic. Deputy Mayoress of Belgrade Radmila Hrustanovic said that Europe was at home both in Serbia and in Belgrade. "Europe is a home and a legacy for all of us," she proclaimed. Three conventions signed on cultural heritage protection On Friday, at the end of an international Round Table on "Common Heritage in Europe on the move - adding value to the development potential of European regions," Serbia signed three conventions on the protection of cultural heritage. Culture Minister Brajovic signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage and a European Convention on the Protection of Archeological Heritage, while Infrastructure Minister Velimir Ilic signed the European Landscape Convention. The conventions were signed on the Council of Europe’s behalf by Secretary General Davis.

European flag flying in Belgrade

The postponement came as a result of a Council protest at the election of Tomislav Nikolić (SRS) to the post of parliamentary speaker in May.

Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis voiced the opinion that the raising of the European flag was a symbol of rapprochement between Serbia and the EU.

"I would like to express my hope that the process of Serbian rapprochement will improve the lives of the ordinary citizens," said Davis.

"Serbia’s an integral part of Europe geographically, culturally, historically and politically. This flag which has been raised today is my flag and your flag. It is indeed our flag," he said.

The official ceremony was held to mark European Flag Day, and the main celebration of European Heritage Day, which is being held in the capital from September 20 to 23.

Greeting his guests, Parliamentary Speaker Oliver Dulić announced that this was an "important day, because the European flag will henceforth stand next to the Serbian one."

"I hope we’ll do everything within our power to be a part of Europe soon, accept European standards and work a lot," said Dulić and expressed the hope that Serbia would become a member of the EU as soon as possible.

To the tune of "The Ode to Joy" pupils from five Belgrade secondary schools raised the flag, before singer Marija Šerifović sang the Serbian national anthem, "Bože Pravde".

Davis presented the singer with a handkerchief embossed with the symbol of the Council of Europe, and the ceremony was brought to a close with a children’s choir’s rendition of the"The Ode to Joy" in six languages.

The ceremony on the square in front of the parliament building was attended by guests from abroad, participants of an international Round Table dedicated to common European heritage, as well as a dozen or so citizens.

Traffic on Nikola Pašić square was brought to a halt as the flag was being raised.

Serbia’s European journey

The European Commission’s (EC) main aim is to support Serbian integration, announced the EC Belgrade, office chief Josep Lloveras.

At a news conference in Belgrade, where the main celebrations are taking place to mark European Heritage Day as part of the festivities linked to Serbian assumption of the Council of Europe presidency, Lloveras said that European integration above all pertained to common European values.

National heritage is an incarnation of common European values, said the EC representative, adding that dialogue on national heritage was a way of encouraging dialogue on these values.

Council of Europe Secretary General Davis stressed the importance of the event, adding that he was "a big fan" whenever the Council's work was concerned, which was absolutely essential for the Balkans.

Davis said that "Serbia is not on the threshold of Europe, but is rather a part of Europe," and that that was proven by her presidency of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.

Parliamentary Speaker Dulić said that the European Heritage days were important because Serbia could show that it was a strong and important part of that heritage, as well as demonstrating the extent to which the people and the state had taken part in something that could be viewed as European integration.

Dulić expressed the hope that today, the day Belgrade lifted the European flag, would be the first step in respecting that flag as a symbol of what the Serbian people should aspire to, namely becoming a part of Europe.

"Both materially and otherwise, heritage is a bearer of identity, individuals and social communities," said Culture Minister Vojislav Brajović.

Deputy Mayoress of Belgrade Radmila Hrustanović said that Europe was at home both in Serbia and in Belgrade. "Europe is a home and a legacy for all of us," she proclaimed.

Three conventions signed on cultural heritage protection

On Friday, at the end of an international Round Table on "Common Heritage in Europe on the move - adding value to the development potential of European regions," Serbia signed three conventions on the protection of cultural heritage.

Culture Minister Brajović signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage and a European Convention on the Protection of Archeological Heritage, while Infrastructure Minister Velimir Ilić signed the European Landscape Convention.

The conventions were signed on the Council of Europe’s behalf by Secretary General Davis.