Former Spanish FM receives Order of Serbian Flag

BELGRADE Former Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has received an Order of the Serbian Flag, First Class in Belgrade on Tuesday. Moratinos was recognized for his great personal contribution to the development of relations and friendship between the people of Serbia and Spain, it has been announced. Former Spanish FM receives Order of Serbian Flag Accepting the medal, Moratinos said that that the high distinction reflects the special relationship he has with Serbia, adding that the country's citizens can still count on his support. This Order is a special honor and a great responsibility, Moratinos said. "Three years ago I received the title of honorary citizen of Belgrade and today, it is a great honor to receive this new distinction that makes me a citizen of the whole of Serbia," he added. The decree to have Moratinos decorated was issued by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on February 22, 2012, and the decoration was handed to him by Chairman of the Commission on Decorations Oliver Antic. "I am happy to see Serbia aspiring to become a full-fledged member of the EU, and to see it being much more optimistic about its future and ready to engage in what is called partnership with the whole world," said the former foreign minister of Spain. Moratinos thanked the Serbian president, his many Serbian friends, the Spanish ambassador in Belgrade, and especially former Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, together with whom he led a joint diplomatic battle, he said, focusing on two clear objectives – defending Serbian national interests and defending international law. "My country, my government, my ministry, and I personally, have been subjected to discrete and covert pressures and blackmails of all kinds, but none of these pressures could change the Spanish attitude with respect to Kosovo and its independence," Moratinos said, adding that his country favors dialogue and negotiations as the only way of resolving conflicts. Moratinos said that he arrived in Belgrade 33 years ago, after the death of then Yugoslav president Tito, and he and his family fell in love with Serbia. Calling Moratinos a great expert on the situation in the former Yugoslavia, with a special affinity for Serbia, Antic said that the former Spanish minister has used every opportunity to point to Serbia’s importance and influence in the region and elsewhere. This has resulted in an intense diplomatic and political cooperation between Serbia and Spain, Antic said. By playing an active role in EU and UN institutions and other international forums, he has given great support to key objectives of Serbia’s foreign policy. Moratinos’ active engagement has helped prevent the recognition of Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence, especially among Latin American countries, Tanjug quoted him as saying. Miguel Angel Moratinos (L) is presented the medal by Oliver Antic (Tanjug) Tanjug

Former Spanish FM receives Order of Serbian Flag

Accepting the medal, Moratinos said that that the high distinction reflects the special relationship he has with Serbia, adding that the country's citizens can still count on his support.

This Order is a special honor and a great responsibility, Moratinos said. "Three years ago I received the title of honorary citizen of Belgrade and today, it is a great honor to receive this new distinction that makes me a citizen of the whole of Serbia," he added.

The decree to have Moratinos decorated was issued by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić on February 22, 2012, and the decoration was handed to him by Chairman of the Commission on Decorations Oliver Antić.

"I am happy to see Serbia aspiring to become a full-fledged member of the EU, and to see it being much more optimistic about its future and ready to engage in what is called partnership with the whole world," said the former foreign minister of Spain.

Moratinos thanked the Serbian president, his many Serbian friends, the Spanish ambassador in Belgrade, and especially former Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić, together with whom he led a joint diplomatic battle, he said, focusing on two clear objectives – defending Serbian national interests and defending international law.

"My country, my government, my ministry, and I personally, have been subjected to discrete and covert pressures and blackmails of all kinds, but none of these pressures could change the Spanish attitude with respect to Kosovo and its independence," Moratinos said, adding that his country favors dialogue and negotiations as the only way of resolving conflicts.

Moratinos said that he arrived in Belgrade 33 years ago, after the death of then Yugoslav president Tito, and he and his family fell in love with Serbia.

Calling Moratinos a great expert on the situation in the former Yugoslavia, with a special affinity for Serbia, Antić said that the former Spanish minister has used every opportunity to point to Serbia’s importance and influence in the region and elsewhere.

This has resulted in an intense diplomatic and political cooperation between Serbia and Spain, Antić said. By playing an active role in EU and UN institutions and other international forums, he has given great support to key objectives of Serbia’s foreign policy.

Moratinos’ active engagement has helped prevent the recognition of Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence, especially among Latin American countries, Tanjug quoted him as saying.