"Serbs and Americans forged lasting friendship in WWI"

"Serbs and Americans forged lasting friendship in WWI"

Kirby said that there has been much debate of late, in connection to the celebration of the 100 anniversary of the World War I breakout, concerning the events that led to the beginning of the war.

Kirby said that he would rather leave the debate to historians, adding that from the U.S. point of view, Americans and Serbs forged a deep and lasting friendship during the struggles to overcome all hardships and win the war.

The challenges we are facing today are much different than those we faced during World War I, but the spirit of Serbian-American friendship remains, as we are another generation of Serbs and Americans brought together by the hope for the future, Kirby said.

Photographs were displayed in the yard of the ambassador's residence which portray some of the heroes of the U.S.-Serbian friendship from World War I, such as the U.S. doctor Rosalie Morton who was decorated by the Order of Saint Sava.

Kirby said that July 4, the Independence Day in the U.S., "stands for the idea of the rule of people with political and economic freedoms, respect of human rights and rule of law," adding that Serbia has been working hard in order to create a strong democracy in the country.

There are other models of state management in the world these days, but Serbia opted for democracy, Kirby said and noted that the 2014 elections testify of this point.

"Happy Independence Day! May the relations between Serbia and the U.S. become even deeper and may they grow and progress," Kirby said.

The reception was attended by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić, Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić, Parliament Speaker Maja Gojković, Patriarch Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Governor of the National Bank of Serbia Jorgovanka Tabaković and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

The guests at the reception also comprised representatives of the Serbian Army, incumbent and former ministers, well-known businesspeople, representatives of religious communities and political parties, as well as prominent figures in sports and culture in Serbia.