L’Ambasciatore della Repubblica di Serbia in Italia Mirjana Jeremić ha presentato le lettere credenziali al Preaidente della Repubblica Italiana in data 22 febbraio 2024.

Durante l’incontro di cortesia è stata espressa la reciproca disponibilità a consolidare il dialogo politico e i rapporti bilaterali complessivamente parlando.

L’Ambasciatore M.Jeremić ha trasmesso al Presidente S.Mattatella i saluti del Presidente della Repubblica di Serbia A.Vučić sottolineando che la Repubblica Italiana può contare sulla Repubblica di Serbia in quanto è un amico sincero per ottimizzare la cooperazione dì partenariato in numerosi settori di interesse comune.

Mr. President of the General Assembly,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I stand before you as the representative of a free and independent country, the Republic of Serbia, which is on its EU accession path, but which at the same time is not ready to turn its back on traditional friendships it had been building for centuries. I want to raise the voice on behalf of my country, but also on behalf of those who today, 78 yeas after the establishment of the UN, truly and equally believe that the principles of the UN Charter are the only substantial defense of the world peace, right to freedom and independence of nations and countries, but more than that, they are the pledge of the mere survival of the human civilization. New global wave of wars and violence that are impacting the foundations of the international security is a painful consequence whose cause lies in abandoning the Principles envisaged in the UN

Charter. 

Following the tragic loss of lives at the “Vladislav Ribnikar” Elementary School shooting in Belgrade on 3 May 2023, the Government of Serbia has declared three days of national mourning, from 5 May to 7 May 2023.

A book of condolence will open at the Consulate  General of the Republic of Serbia in Milan, Via Pantano 2,  3 rd floor at Friday, 5 May 2023  to Monday, 8 May 2023.

Belgrade, 21 March 2023

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated today, at the opening of the Serbia-Italy Business and Science Forum, that the foreign trade exchange between the two countries reached €4.6 billion last year and invited Italian companies to come to Serbia because we have a safe investment environment.

At a meeting in the Palace of Serbia, in the presence of Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani, Vucic said that Italy is a sincere friend of Serbia and that Italian businessmen are more than welcome in our country.

The President of the Republic pointed out that in the previous three years, Serbia attracted 53 percent of foreign investments in the entire Western Balkans, and added that he is proud of that result, which would not have been achieved without the help of Italian companies, as well as those from the EU and the rest of the world.

Vucic pointed out that the countries of the Western Balkans want a greater presence of Italy, both economically and politically.

Tajani said that Italy wants to be more present in Serbia and the Balkans, which has strategic importance, according to him.

He stated that Italy has four million small and medium-sized enterprises and that he is convinced that his country can export its knowledge and products.

We need to internationalise business operations by cooperating with friendly countries and establishing joint ventures for the benefit of Serbia and Italy, as well as to strengthen Serbia's candidacy for EU membership, the Vice President of the Council of Ministers said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Italian soldiers in Kosovo and Metohija who always guaranteed the inviolability of Serbian monasteries.

The Serbia-Italy Forum for Business and Scientific Cooperation, which is being held as part of the official visit of the Italian state and business delegation to Serbia gathers 246 companies from Serbia and 149 from Italy, and around 400 bilateral meetings are planned.

Belgrade, 21 March 2023
Representatives of Serbia and Italy signed today at the Serbia-Italy Business and Science Forum, held as part of an official visit of the Italian state and business delegation to our country, 11 documents on cooperation.

The Joint statement on cooperation between the two countries was signed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Ivica Dacic and Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani.

The Agreement on film co-production between the government of Serbia and the government of Italy was signed by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Maja Gojkovic and Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani.

The Agreement between the two governments on the mutual recognition and replacement of driver's licenses was signed by Minister of the Interior Bratislav Gasic and Italian Ambassador to Serbia Luca Gori.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure and the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport on cooperation in the field of transport infrastructure was signed by Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic and Italian Ambassador to Serbia Luca Gori.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the government of Serbia and the Italian Export Credit Agency SACE was signed by Serbian Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade Tomislav Momirovic and Chief Executive Officer and General Director at SACE Alessandra Ricci.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the government of Serbia and the Institute for the Internationalisation of Italian Companies SIMEST was signed by Serbian Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade Tomislav Momirovic and President of SIMEST Pasquale Salzano.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the government of Serbia and the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti bank was signed by Serbian Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade Tomislav Momirovic and the bank's Chief Executive Officer Dario Scannapieco.

The Memorandum on Cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia (PKS) and the Confederation of Italian Industry in Serbia Confindustria Serbia was signed by PKS President Marko Cadez and President of Confindustria Serbia Patrizio Dei Tos.

The Memorandum of Understanding in the field of agriculture and food industry was signed by PKS President Marko Cadez and President of Filiera Italia Luigi Scordamaglia.

The Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural research and cooperation between the Serbian Research and Development Institute for IT in biosystems BioSense and the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics of the Republic of Italy was signed by Director of BioSense Vladimir Crnojevic and General Director of the Council Stefano Vaccari.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Serbian Association of Consulting Engineers and Association of Italian Engineering, Architectural and Technical-Economic Consulting Organisations was signed by Vice President of the Serbian Association of Consulting Engineers Nikola Matic and Vice President of the Association of Italian Engineering, Architectural and Technical-Economic Consulting Organisations Roberto Carpaneto.

The documents were signed in the presence of President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic.

Statement by President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić  at the
General Debate of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
21 September 2022, New York

Main theme: ,,A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking
challenges"

Esteemed President of the General Assembly, Distinguished Secretary-General, Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me a great honor to address you on behalf of the Republic of Serbia.

Due to limited time, please do not mind if I skip the burden of formality, courtesy words, greetings of those who are present in this room or absent, and instead speak directly about the essence of what we gathered here.
I've been so many times in these premises. The seriousness of the present moment obliges me to share difficult, but true words with you.
Everything we are doing here today seems at least relatively impotent and vague. Our words make hollow and empty echo compering to the reality we are facing. And that reality is such that no one is listening to anyone here, no one strives towards real agreements and to resolving prol:,lems, and almost everyone takes care only of their own interests, breaching often along the way the basic principles of international law; throwing away the UN Charter and other documents this Organization is founded on. It is neither fault of Antonio Guterres nor of anyone from UN, but of those powers who take care of nothing else but of meeting their own political, economic and unfortunately military goals.

We are witnesses that the age we live in is featured by complexity of global geopolitical situation. Our General Debate is being held in terms of undermined world peace, to the extent that has not been seen ever since the World War II and since the time the United Nations had been founded. Global challenges we are facing are threatening to radically change international security architecture and jeopardize established international legal order. Such complex times demand a lot of wisdom and unity, in order to preserve peace as the absolutely most important heritage woven into the foundations of the United Nations Organization.

That is why I would like to speak clearly and accurately before you about five key challenges we are facing today:

Point 1: Returning to peace and preservation of global stability;

Point 2: Preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of internationally recognized states, members of this Organization, as a key principle of international public law and relations between the countries;

Point 3: Energy security in terms of global crisis;

Point 4: Financial safety of the poor and developing countries;

Point 5: Food supply in terms of global supply chains interrupted by war.

Current global developments remind more and more often that the principle of peaceful resolution of disputes has no alternative. This principle is outstanding today more than ever before and it is best described in the UN Charter Preamble which reads as follows - "to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors". Denial of use of force and peaceful resolution of disputes are the pillars of world stability; but they must be accompanied by principles such as non-selective observance of the UN Charter, implementation of mandatory UN Security Council Resolutions and basic principles of the applicable international public law.

Point 2: Preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of internationally recognized states, members of this Organization; Serbia supports territorial integrity of all UN member states, including of course territorial integrity of Ukraine. In such a way, we behaved responsibly and seriously in this renowned institution. Nevertheless, we could hear from many speakers the stories about aggression and violation of territorial integrity of Ukraine. Many say that this was the first conflict on the European soil after the World War II. But, the truth that the territorial integrity of a country in Europe - · Serbia as a matter of fact, which did not attack any other sovereign country, was violated is constantly unspoken. We ask for a clear answer to the question I've been asking my interlocutors, leaders of many countries for years - what is the difference between the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, which was grossly violated, and for which you provided international recognition and legitimacy, at least some of you? Nobody has ever provided a rational answer to that question.

Let me remind you - Serbia has not stepped its foot on someone else's territory, never ever, nor has it endangered territorial integrity of a single sovereign state, so that anyone might intervene or carry out aggression against it, the way it was done against Serbia in 1999. Nevertheless, it did not prevent nineteen richest NATO countries from attacking a sovereign country without the decision by the United Nations Security Council. Signing of the Agreement with NATO - upon termination of armed conflict - whose provisions envisaged adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and which confirmed and guaranteed partial sovereignty and full territorial integrity of Serbia, did not prevent many western countries from unilateral recognition of independence of the so-called "Kosovo" and from violating, once agam, territorial integrity of our country, and violating the UN Charter and the UN Resolution 1244. Precisely for such developments that Serbia experienced and that is has been expenencmg, I am convinced that I am fully entitled to quote, in this place, the words of great Martin Luther King: "Injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere". These words are carved like a reminder, but as a warning to all ofus.

Regardless of the fact that we still feel the consequences of the gross violation of basic provisions of international public law, we do not give up on United Nations foundation principles. We shall keep advocating consistent observance of the principle of inviolability of borders, respect for sovereignty and integrity of all other UN member states. Despite such position of ours, many in this room have issues with respecting territorial integrity of Serbia. You wonder why? Because they have the power is in their hands, and in their eyes, we are small and weak. However, as you could hear and you can see, we do have the strength to tell the truth even here.

Your Excellencies,

We owe special gratitude to all those UN member states - and they currently constitute majority at this Assembly, who support territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, particularly in the space and territory of Kosovo and Metohija. It is additionally encouraging that number of countries who support Serbia's position increased in period between two sessions, which is a trend that must continue, because it is of utmost importance to remain loyal to basic principles embedded into the UN Charter, such as the principle of inviolability of borders.

The Republic of Serbia, and I as its President, search very patiently and with a lot of good will for compromise regarding Kosovo and Metohija under the auspices of the European Union, and within Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. It is a difficult process, it has been lasting for more than ten years, but we see no alternative to it. It is better to negotiate for hundred years, than to wage war for a single day. I hope that we will reach mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, because this is the absolutely only way for reaching our goal, which is a long-lasting peace, as a prerequisite of prosperous life for Serbs and Albanians in an entire region. We have exhausted all other options and, and speaking for Serbia, at least, we do not even dream about going back to the paths of conflicts and bloodsheds. The Balkan region could not stand another conflict. I rely on good will and understanding from our international partners, because they know well that some earlier decisions by their governments had been bad and that they had not been acting in favor of the future of our region and world peace. Belgrade is running this process under very complex circumstances with elements of hybrid war and dirty campaign in part of international community against our country, in different fields. It would be enough just to remind you of the quotes and allegations of world media that Serbia would attack its neighbors and that Serbia was a threat to regional stability. Of course, it has never happened. And it was only one among numerous lies against the Republic of Serbia. Serbia was featured as a potential destabilizing factor in the region, only to be prevented from telling the truth - that the principle of inviolability of borders must be equally applicable to all. Serbia was and it will be a factor of stability in the entire region. Serbia, despite many untruths and forgeries, supports Dayton Peace Accords, territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and integrity of Republika Srpska within Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On the other hand, we are convinced that the nations of the Balkans do have the capacity to continue their lives in the future as friends and partners with common vision of membership to tht united Europe. I know this well, because we have already surpassed many barriers that had been standing between our nations for years and that had costed us thousands of lives and wasted future. Serbia and Albania, for example, today have the closest and the friendliest relationship in the entire several centuries long common history in the space of the Balkan Peninsula.

It took only clear-headed and pragmatic discussions about our future, not about our past. To talk about how to resolve problems that were bothering our people, our companies, workers, students and entrepreneurs. We had discussed a lot and reached, by ourselves, numerous solutions that have already cancelled barriers that existed between us for no rational reasons. First of all, in economy, trade and flow of people and capital. Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia have been implementing for three years "Open Balkan" Initiative, which has a clear vision - to open the region for the people, goods, services, capital and companies, in order to create the space which would be permanently liberated from tensions and conflicts. In addition to unquestionable common economic benefit that this Initiative brings, it has a broader dimension, first of all in connecting people with different cultures and in promoting diversity, which, by all means, contributes to general development of society in this part of Europe. In this way, Serbia, actually continues contributing to peace, stability and reconciliation process in the region, whereby it certainly gives significant contribution to global security.

We found the inspiration for the respective in words of one of the greatest diplomats in history and a great UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold that this Organization "wasn't created to take mankind into paradise, but rather, to save humanity from hell".

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The moment we curbed the global pandemic, we have already faced new, unprecedented challenges for this century. While we, as a mankind, take one step at a time in accelerated technological development, there arise existential problems ahead of us such as energy security, financial safety of the developing countries, but

also distortions in the supply chains of the basic food provisions. Solidarity which had been necessary in fighting pandemic is needed to a far greater extent today, when people's basic necessities for food and energy are endangered.

The Republic of Serbia thinks of its energy security as of the inseparable part of the national security and as the key prerequisite for the continuation of economic development and progress of our country. We strive to provide the continuity of energy supply, but we share the concern for current geopolitical challenges that undermine the energy stability in the word and Europe. We remain committed to finding solutions that might have the transformational strength in attempts to reach regional and European energy safety. I would like to underline that the Republic of Serbia managed to preserve continuity in energy supply during the ongoing crisis. Nevertheless, we remain vitally interested in diversifying supply sources, in additional investment in energy infrastructure, but also in faster and more efficient development of capacities based on renewables.

It is precisely at the United Nations where we named the ongomg decade the "decade of more sustainable and resilient future, action and transformation." It has to remain like that, but at a bit faster pace. Unequal development, but also financial perils in the developing countries, cause additional social layering and inevitably bring new antagonisms. Equal development must neither be limited not conditioned either geographically or politically, but it must be provided to all people regardless of ethnic, racial, cultural or religious affiliation.

There is another, very important challenge ahead, which we must overcome together, and it is finding the most efficient way to avoid consequences of the current international crisis inflicted on global food supply security. Developments are highly alarming, and the reality is such that all of us, with no exceptions, are struck by them. Growing prices of food and its availability have become an additional problem. Task for all of us is to find operational and efficient solutions that will leave no one behind. It is up to us- states - as the most important international subjects, to involve individually in coordination of measures, first of all by contributing to this noble task at national levels, in order to preserve the most valuable things - human lives and their dignity.

The topic of this year's General Debate warns us to the problems of a moment and relatedness of international challenges. Crises we are facing remind us of the importance of open communication. It does not take much wisdom to conclude that challenges can be successfully overpowered only if their causes are properly observed. Serbia believes that it is imperative that current challenges must not deepen world divisions in any way, and that already obvious and intentional polarization at global level should make room to principles of multilateralism.

I would like to underline that the Republic of Serbia take part in collective efforts for reaching Sustainable Development Goals and implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Serbia shares Secretary General's vision in future of global cooperation in a way envisaged by "Our Common Agenda" and it strongly supports inclusive, networked and efficient multilateralism as the best tool for responding to the most urgent challenges for the mankind.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Multilateralism, collective actions and common responsibility are irreplaceable elements of our discussions so far, but allow me to underline that starting point for each such constructive engagement is solidarity.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that the Republic of Serbia will continue being a reliable partner in achieving common goals defined within the UN framework, firmly believing that it is the best path to create world for us and generations to come. But we must not forget that the United Nations are as strong as we respect commonly harmonized decisions and documents of this Organization.

Once again I will quote something that we heard twenty three times until now. This is the sentence, "The only standard we must follow is UN Charter." That's what we heard from everybody. But when we come to the case of the Republic of Serbia we saw that seventeen out of those twenty three that were speaking about UN Charter and UN resolutions violated international public law and did not obey the rules created and made by the United Nations. I hope that we'll be able to overcome all these difficulties and to make it equal, the rules and procedures for everybody in the world. Otherwise, I don't see the exit at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you for your attention.

Long live Serbia.

22.06.2022

Il Presidente della Repubblica di Serbia Aleksandar Vučić si è incontrato oggi con il Ministro degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale della Repubblica Italiana Luigi Di Maio, con cui ha parlato del proseguimento dello sviluppo della cooperazione bilaterale, dell’integrazione europea della Serbia, del contesto geopolitico e delle relazioni regionali.

“L’Italia è tra i principali investitori esteri della Serbia, senz’altro il primo partner rispetto ai valori di investimenti nel nostro paese, e il secondo rispetto al numero dei progetti realizzati. Ciò nonostante continuiamo a creare un ambiente per gli affari ancora più stimolante, alfine di attirare nuovi investitori esteri”, ha sottolineato il Presidente Vučić ribadendo che è molto importante il fatto che l’Italia ha collocato la nostra Regione tra i primi posti sulla lista delle sue priorità di politica estera.

Il Presidente Vučić ha ringraziato l’Italia del supporto aperto e continuo all’integrazione europea della Serbia, sottolineando che apprezza anche il supporto personale del capo della diplomazia italiana Di Maio per gli impegni della Serbia sul suo cammino europeo.

Parlando del contesto regionale, il Presidente Vučić ha detto che Belgrado rimane pienamente dedicata al dialogo con Pristina, in quanto unica modalità per raggiungere un accordo reciprocamente accettabile, aggiungendo che la pace, la stabilità e la cooperazione sono di massima importanza per il futuro dei Balcani Occidentali.

Per quanto riguarda il conflitto in Ucraina, il Presidente Vučić ha nuovamente sottolineato che la Serbia è dedita al rispetto del principio di integrità territoriale e di sovranità di ogni paese, in quanto uno dei principi fondamentali del diritto internazionale della Carta delle Nazioni Unite e che è pertanto pronta ad aiutare l’Ucraina, entro le sue possibilità.

Durante la riunione, il capo della diplomazia italiana Luigi Di Maio ha detto che l’Italia riconosce quanto raggiunto dalla Serbia nel percorso verso l’Unione Europea, soprattutto per quanto riguarda le riforme costituzionali e altre, che hanno consentito l’apertura del cluster 4.

“L’Italia è un forte promotore dell’avvicinamento dei Balcani Occidentali alla famiglia europea e noi stiamo investendo grandi impegni alfine di spiegare ai nostri partner dell’UE la situazione nella Regione e la necessità di allargamento. L’Unione Europea deve dare un maggiore supporto economico alla Regione” ha detto Di Maio.

Fonte / Foto: Presidenza della Serbia / Dimitrije Goll
 

June 22, 2022

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic talked today with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy Luigi di Maio about the improvement of bilateral relations, development of economic and trade cooperation, as well as potential new investments in Serbia.

Brnabic pointed out that Italy continuously and strongly supports Serbia on its European path, and emphasised that reforms, regardless of all the challenges of today, remain Belgrade's primary task, with a special focus on the rule of law.

She also underlined that peace and stability in the region are of key importance for economic development and that the government of Serbia will do everything to ensure that, because, as she emphasised, the continuation and implementation of reforms is possible only when peace and security of the whole region are guaranteed.

Speaking about the "Open Balkans" initiative, the Prime Minister pointed out that it is an example of successful regional cooperation and the fight for common goals, noting that this is the best way to prepare countries for EU membership, but also an opportunity to reach Union standards and before fulfill conditions for formal enrollment.

Also, as she added, Belgrade greatly appreciates Italy's position that Serbia has full potential to progress towards the EU and that it can count on the constant support of a friendly country such as Italy.

When it comes to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Brnabic emphasised that official Belgrade remains fully committed to that dialogue, as evidenced by the recently reached agreement on the roadmap for the implementation of the energy agreement.

The Italian Minister said that the policy pursued by Serbia is important for the stability of the Western Balkans, and despite the challenging times in which Europe lives, that Italy supports Ukraine, but also Serbia and the Western Balkans on the path to European integration.

20.06.2022

Il Presidente della Repubblica di Serbia Aleksandar Vučić ha ricevuto le lettere credenziali dell’Ambasciatore della Repubblica Italiana Luca Gori, che gli ha trasmesso in occasione i saluti del Presidente Sergio Mattarella.

Il Presidente Vučić ha dato il benvenuto in Serbia all’Ambasciatore italiano esprimendo la soddisfazione per le stabili relazioni di tradizionale amicizia tra i due Paesi e per il continuo supporto dell’Italia al percorso europeo della Serbia.

Inoltre, il Presidente Vučić ha ribadito che si aspetta che durante il mandato dell’Ambsciatore Gori proseguirà l’eccezionale cooperazione economica con l’Italia, in quanto uno dei maggiori partner economici della Serbia.

L’Ambasciatore Gori, presentando le lettere credenziali al Presidente Vučić, ha sottolineato che l’Italia appoggia inconfutabilmente le integrazioni europee della Serbia anche tramite il supporto degli esperti nel campo delle riforme nei settori chiave, e che continuerà a lavorare sul consolidamento della cooperazione a beneficio di entrambi i Paesi, specie nel campo dell’economia e della cultura. Ha espresso la soddisfazione per il fatto che già in questa settimana è prevista la visita in Serbia del Capo della Diplomazia Italiana Luigi Di Maio.

L’Ambasciatore Gori ha evidenziato inoltre la dedizione dell’Italia alla pace e alla stabilità dei Balcani Occidentali, trasmettendo l’ufficiale posizione di Roma circa l’apprezzamento del contributo del Presidente Vučić alla stabilità regionale e alla cooperazione.

Fonte/Foto: Presidenza della Serbia /Dimitrije Goll

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić has officially sworn in as the President at the Eleventh Special Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in the Twelfth Convocation and thus took office in his second term.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Your Holiness, dear President, dear Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, dear President of Republika Srpska, distinguished representatives of religious communities, dear friends,  distinguished Presidents of Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, your Excellencies, Presidents of the Constitutional Court and of the Supreme Court of Cassation, Prime Minister, members of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Prime Minister of the Provincial Government of the AP Vojvodina, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, there is no greater honor, bigger obligation, nor bigger pride than the one given by a fact that you lead your country, nor a nicer duty of representing it proudly.

I got all that- obligation, duty, honor and pride, from the citizens, in the elections. They are expression of a will and a convincing majority, which indebted me and most of us again to do our job not always in a way that majority wants, but to do everything that is in the best interest of Serbia.

I want to be a President of all and President for all; to be the first one when it comes to liabilities and the last one when it comes to privilege, to work more, and not ask anything for myself, but to ask everything, absolutely everything for our Serbia.


The great Confucius said that one can make compromise on anything except on ideals, and this is something I intend to follow; and my ideal is Serbia and wellbeing of its citizens. At the same time, this also determines the priorities of my second tenure, the ones that, it seems to me, had been public and loud even before I took my oath, and which read as follows: peace, stability, independent decision-making, Serbia’s freedom, security, health, Europe, work, work and work.

Serbia is and it will be- to paraphrase Marcus Aurelius, the emperor, philosopher, precisely that, and only that, what we make of it. It is a product of our thoughts, our dreams and our deeds; our ideal, our goal, our consciousness, knowledge about where we both geographically and historically are and great care never to confuse- like it has happened to us so many times in history, history and reality, geography and reality, our wishes and reality.

Today I have the honor, but also the paramount obligation to address you as the President whose second term begins at turning point of modern history. There is no more difficult, but neither more sublime duty than this one I take today, for the second time. And there are no more demanding goals, but nor more honorable than the goal of Serbia’s continuation on its path, a unique one, towards the future it had deserved long ago with its sacrifices and deprivations.

I take presidential duty in times where the basic premise - throughout the entire world almost, is that rudeness and bad behavior are acts of courage, while calmness and patience are the reflection of fear. We live in times when everybody speaks out loud, while only a few listens, and even fewer hear. Voices of reason are getting quieter, and the vision of the future of the entire mankind is blurrier and more distant.


Today, more than ever, the entire world is hungry for truth and justice. The same justice that is woven into the first lyrics of our beautiful national anthem that still stands as an imperative without which there is no progress either for a dignified man or the entire world. I will always fight for such a truth and such a justice, because there is no more difficult, but neither more honorable path than the respective one.

The world may never be the same again, but I want to emphasize a fact that at least we will try to stay strong, self-confident and decisive in our observance of principles; as a country we will continue working for general good, while we take courageous steps forwards despite all the perils, just like we have done so far.

Therefore, there isn’t a word big enough for our Serbia, which has always stood on cross-roads of different civilizations, religions and cultures, which enriched it in the best possible way, which encourages us to look after that heritage today, even stronger, firmer and more decisive than ever before. Likewise, paths of interests and ambitions, conquering and withdrawal of the others have intertwined through us since ever, but also paths of our victories and defeats that left deep scars on the entire existence of Serbia. Many came to us without respect and consideration and left with hidden or open admiration for our small, but so great nation and our small, but so proud Serbia.

Just like this Miroslav Gospel, our country had a strange and difficult historical path. Serbia’s generations grew stronger through the most difficult moments during long centuries, often alone, but always standing tall. Precisely those generations that had shown throughout history the incredible human, monarchical, artistic, military, moral and spiritual heights, they had woven this unbreakable, freedom loving, sometimes defiant spirit into all future generations of our nation.

Photo: Presidency/Dimitrije Goll

To put this in concrete terms: the world is dramatically changing before our eyes on a daily basis, never more so and never faster. Attack against Ukraine is a turning point in international relations. On one side, Russia wanted the end of domination of- the way one may say, the western and hard and soft power, prevention of further NATO extension; the great China does not want the status quo, i.e. the intangibility of western power and lack of influence all the others, while, on the other hand, the West wants preservation of their own domination in the world, at the same time calling to violation of international public law, by both Russia and their other adversaries, such as the People’s Republic of China.

It is true that the attack against Ukraine is a violation of international public law, but it is also true that it happened dozens of times in the modern world, and that the key protagonists and today’s big fighters for observance of international public law norms were often western powers, as well. Nevertheless, we here, in Serbia, can confirm the aforementioned in the best possible way. Our country was attacked in 1999, without the decision by the United Nations Security Council, and before that, our country had not occupied any other territories. After that, our country suffered additional plundering. Despite the existence of the Resolution 1244 and existence of the respective Resolution in legal terms, we are still being plundered by those who claim to be right, and if we, by any chance, say that we think differently, from that very moment they say that we are no longer for the future, that we are not acting democratic enough, that we do not understand the current moment, but, instead, that we deal too much with the past. If someone else did something like this, he would immediately be someone who breaches the international public order, someone who undermines all the institutions and world peace. 

I am proud of Serbia today, which acts in accordance with the principles of international public law; which can condemn the breach of international public law, unambiguously and clearly. But I am also proud of Serbia with neither anti-western, nor anti-Russian sentiment. We welcome Dostoyevsky and Shakespeare, Goethe and Hemingway. This is something Serbia can be proud of; despite it may be the one of the few countries in the modern world to do so.

I have said all this not because it is possible to take pragmatic demands of acting, but to save our soul as the President of Serbia and to say what lies in my heart, just like all other citizens of Serbia allow themselves to. And, do not think that I do not know what you all know. I do know it; I often know it better than anybody else. I often see and feel it better than anyone else. But it does not solve our problem; and it will not solve a single problem in the future. Politics of running a country is not a politics of wishes, but the politics of possible; the politics of reality.


I spoke for seven hours with one of the biggest European leaders today; I guess that a man wanted to listen to me and I felt the need to say everything that was on my soul; to say out loud how we Serbs feel when we see what had been done to us regarding Kosovo and Metohija and regarding all other issues in the Balkans.

He listened to me carefully, this great leader, much wiser than me, with much more knowledge; he’s leading a big country…, and sometime around 3 o’clock in the morning he told me: “Let’s summarize now, Aleksandar.” So, I said: “I’m listening to you, my dear friend.” And, then he said:” I do not agree on everything with you, but let’s say that you are 80%, maybe even 90% right regarding things that you said. And now what? You are leading a country; you are the President of a country; you are smart enough to know that regardless of the injustice- and there is so much injustice in the world, there are some things that will never change. You cannot change the opinion of my country. We can have regrets later, but we will never admit that, because the big ones do not admit. There are no tears of regret and mistakes for us, they are meant for you, small countries. What remains is to see what you can do and save your country in the future. What remains is to see what you can do to ensure the future for young generations in your country; what you can accept as a reality and what we can make together.”

This was the first time I heard a western leader to say somehow, not directly, by yet again somehow:” All right, we are not always absolutely happy for what we did in the past, but you must accept that.”

At least we got something; I got some kind of personal satisfaction that night, which, of course, means nothing for our country. But this great lither was right when he said that we had to be committed to our future; that we had to warry about our future, to see what we would do with our children, because it is not up to them to pay neither debts of our generation, nor the debts left to us by our parents, grandparents nor anybody else. We have to leave to them a situation for the future that is as clear as possible, so that they need not to think who they will wage wards against and what kind of instabilities and problems they might face.

Precisely in reference to that, I would like to say that I look forward to new legislature of the Parliament; I hope that all election-related activities will be over soon and I do not even want to respond to those who were making meaningless claims about me choosing in front which legislature of the Parliament I would take my oath, because I became the President of 31 May and this was the only day when I could take oath. But, what one can do, because no matter what I do sometimes, and no matter how I do it, it would never be good enough or bad enough to make everybody happy.


Formation of the new Government is, I’d say, of crucial importance and having in mind our current situation, a difficult one, already today all of us together have to think about it. I cannot do it by myself, even though I got the big support from the citizens; it takes the Government to do that, and it will of course be done stronger by the Government with full legitimacy, and not by the technical Government.

We have to deal with new sanctions and all kinds of things, where we, yet again, could be damaged party, so we will have to ask our European partners to help us in that matter, but is now more of a question for therm. Precisely in accordance with the aforementioned, I expect the new Government to be formed by the end of July, and I would be happy to start intensive consultations with representatives of all political parties in the country that won the threshold for the National Assembly, as soon as the new legislature of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia is appointed.

I want to say that I am convinced that the new Government will accept some of the advices and my pleas. I believe that the new mandate-holder will make the decision to make the Government inclusive minority wise; that we will involve as much representatives as possible not only coming from Serbian people, but to have also Hungarians, Bosniaks, Croats and Roma in that Government, as well as representatives of all nationalities that wish well to this country and those who have only one homeland or one motherland, and that is Serbia, whom they endlessly love, as much as we who plan to live here love it; as well as they and their children love it.
First I want to thank all representatives for the respective; I do not even like to say formally and in legal terms, I don’t even know whether that is the appropriate expression- representatives of national minorities, but I’d say people, lovely citizens, nations that do not belong to the majority nation, but who have always stood by Serbia, and shared the good and the bad with us, and resolved together with us all the troubles and problems we faced.


What I expect from the next Government, but what I will pay special attention to as the President is number one- our European path. And now, pardon me, since I know that this is something people would not applaud to, I would give the biggest room for the respective. Sometimes, I like to be spiteful, grumpy, sometimes snappy, but not for the sake of myself or because I need any points for that, quite the contrary, one loses points on that, but because I think that I am doing the right thing for Serbia.

When we speak about Europe, it serves us as a buzzword; it became some sort of a mandatory mentioning, but also something that we can easily criticize, attack every day, but yet again, when the afternoon or evening comes, we start thinking how much support and help we will be able to ask for tomorrow.

No matter how rightfully we say that they are not always fair with us, and I do not thing that they are always fair with us, particularly when it comes to political demands, we too are not fair with them. It is easy and nice for us to take the money of the EU tax payers and we feel so good even if do not say “thank you” for that. 

It is easy and nice to accept what suits us, and what we like, but it is not easy and nice to listen to the words of criticism when we dislike something.

The European Union must not be a buzzword term; it must not be something that has become a part of vocabulary just like that, but it must be our commitment. Precisely because of the trade exchange, investment, but because of a fact that we want to belong to that type of society, we will have to do many things in the field of rule of law, further democratization of our society, media freedom and everything else.

Of course that they overreact when that say that a different opinion cannot be heard; of course that they sometimes use it for their political needs, but it is also true that we as well can always do better, and not because of them, but because of us.

This brings me to -what I swore on today, the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, the key political issue for us and that is the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. Related to the Ukrainian crisis, the issue of Kosovo and Metohija will be even more visible and even more difficult for us to resolve it. No matter what you are being told, by anyone; no matter what anyone from the west tells you, Kosovo and Metohija will be bigger and more important topic and precisely because of what President Putin has spoken about recently.

They will tell you that this is not the way the things are and that Kosovo is not even similar to some other examples worldwide, and they will keep repeating it viciously. The more they repeat it, the more it troubles them. And that is why we will be challenged.

I apologize for telling the truth to everybody; both to you here, in this room, and to those who listen to this.

Do you really think I am that naïve when you tell me ten times that this does not concern you and that this is not a problem for you, and thereby you try to sell it to me, political veteran? I see how much it hurts you. Then you can imagine how much it hurts us; how much it hurts this country; how much this hurts Serbian man; how much it hurts everyone in this country. We have to listen about pressures every day just for you to meet your interests, thereby not thinking for a second about our interests.

We have a problem here and also because we do not have anyone at all to talk to in our wish to reach compromise; in our wish to search for compromise.

I also know that nobody in Serbia wants to hear this, but we have to search for compromise. We have to fight for compromise. We have to keep safe our people in Kosovo and Metohija. We have to take care of the lives of our people, our elderly ones, their children and children of their children who still live in Kosovo and Metohija, who still love Serbian flag, who still speak Serbian language. That is why we have to search for compromise.

Today, when we speak about the respective, they do not comply with the verdicts of their authorities to bring back to Visoki Decani what belongs to Visoki Decani, and nobody is worrying too much about it.

For the first time we saw the press statement from the Quint who sincerely criticized the position of Albanian potentates in Pristina not to allow Serbs to declare they will in the Presidential and Parliamentary elections of Serbia. It lasted for half a day. A day later, they could continue doing everything they had been doing, because they will always have their support and no one should have any illusions in that regard.


Then, we come to a related issue. How much understanding we can encounter and how much rational acceptance of our arguments we can encounter when we say: “Well, wait a minute, you expect us to make equally strong commitments against the Russian Federation?” Now, put aside all our traditional relations, put aside everything else; put aside that we do not have problems with gas supply, with supply security, that we have good relations; put all that aside , and people, how can you, on one side, keep saying every day about territorial integrity, about protection of territorial integrity as a supreme principle of international public law, and then you tell us: ” You, Serbs, forget about observing the supreme principle of international public law, but make sure to refer to the Russian Federation even worse than we do, for everything that is happening worldwide.” And, it’s not a problem that they will not be on your side at the United Nations Security Council regarding your territorial integrity, because it is good for you to forget about your own territorial integrity.

I am only asking representatives of those countries to be a bit fair with Serbia and say: “We do understand your difficult position, but, no problem, we are pushing you into that.” This is the language that we can understand. It does not mean that we will obey, but this is the language that is far less hypocritical than the one saying that this is justice, and that this is just and fair, because if it had been just, fair and if it had been justice, you wouldn’t have devastated and you wouldn’t keep devastating territorial integrity of Serbia the way you had done it.
 
I know, fortunately or unfortunately, what it is that people like and I return to this again and repeat to you, I said this to save my soul, so that you know that I have one, as I know that many think that I do not, and I tell you that I happen to know these things better than most, but tomorrow we must have enough fuel, we must have enough food, we must have new hospitals, we must have new factories and we must maintain the best relations with our western partners and remain firmly, solidly, persistently and strongly on the European path.

The new government needs to be formed quickly, also because it is necessary for us to deal urgently, urgently with the coming winter and the supply of Serbia, above all, with energy sources. The situation is alarming and that is why it is important that we form the Government as soon as possible, so that we can dedicate ourselves to this, so that we can allocate a lot of money and provide security for the citizens of Serbia during the upcoming winter.


We have stable public finances thanks to the entire Government, the Ministry of Finance, the National Bank of Serbia, thanks to good work, stability, which we have maintained all the time. It is of great importance for us to preserve that stability.

Food. We have enough and we will have enough. All attempts to destabilize the Serbian market will fail because we are never deceiving. We never lie when we say that we have enough sugar, oil, wheat, sunflower, corn and everything else that is necessary for a normal and decent life.

There are big and key, essential, reform tasks in front of Serbia, which will be painful for many - from the new and much more serious and responsible energy policy, to education and science, which needs be the essence, the pillar of Serbia's progress in the future. I would especially like to ask the Government not to be afraid of the reactions regarding the wider, more comprehensive and convincing, more convincing introduction of dual education in our educational system, because everyone was running away from this. It is easiest to only wait for the next salary and see how much money the Ministry of Finance can provide, without realizing how much we lag behind Germany, Austria, Switzerland and how much, in fact, we are not ready to change ourselves, but we are ready to change everyone else.

We will continue, because the state must continue to invest in health care, because health care is becoming one of the pillars of both the development and survival of our nation. Further digitalization, development of robotics, artificial intelligence, but also care for climate change and environmental protection. We have many partners, from Norwegians to the EU and the United States, with whom we have entered into significant projects in the field of energy security, safety and environmental protection, which need to be deepened.

As for the issue of our army, as the supreme commander, I will try to make our army, through my authority, stronger, to be the guarantor of security, peace, safety and stability.

We have heard countless times in the past months that Serbia will allegedly attack someone, that the Serbian army will threaten someone. They lied for days, weeks, as long as this crisis in Ukraine has lasted, for ninety-six days. For ninety-six days, every day you could read those lies a hundred times and in a hundred places. And after ninety-six days, no one has yet apologized to us. Nobody has told us yet - sorry we lied from day one. And I thank Serbia for acting as a pillar of stability and for never endangering anyone, and for never asking for anything from anyone, except for asking to be its own, to have the right to keep its freedom, its sky and land, alone, without anyone's help.



I am convinced, dear friends, that Serbia will jealously guard its military neutrality. We are not politically neutral. We are on the European path and we know our obligations, but we must preserve our military neutrality. Everywhere around us are either NATO countries or territories where NATO is located. There is no territory, entity, country next to Serbia, other than Serbia, which is not in NATO.

Serbia is like a small island and some usually say or cite it as a problem. But let me tell you, what is the problem with trusting your people, trusting the heroic gene of your citizens that we were and will be able to protect our country and that we do not want to belong to any military bloc, that we just want to have the right to guard our borders, to guard our country, to have our soldiers and to protect our skies?

Today, Serbia also has more financial strength to guard its country than it had before. And Serbia today would no longer be easy prey for anyone, as we, unfortunately, despite our big heart, were easy prey in 1999.

And that is something I am proud of. So we are not attacking anyone, we do not endanger anyone, but I guarantee you one thing, and that is that no one will dare and no one, so easily as before, satisfying their geopolitical interests, will dare to go against Serbia, not because someone loves us or does not love us, and not only because today they do not have the interests they once had, but because Serbia is stronger. And it is stronger thanks to the people and citizens of Serbia who invested in their army, who believed in their army and who know that the path of neutrality is the path to the future for the Republic of Serbia and for our citizens.

What is also important is that salaries and pensions will grow, and inflation must not eat this away. Imported inflation, mostly imported inflation, must not eat away their incomes, because we fought for a better standard of living for the citizens, and the Government will have to work hard on that issue and ensure that pensions keep up with salaries.

And what is also important, and without which we have no future, and what we are all talking about, let me to joke a little at our expense. We, all of us, when we appear on television, all of us, all of us presidents, prime ministers, ministers, all analysts, all critics, all of us, whoever shows up, always goes and says: “Look, our villages are deserted”. Come on then, go back to the village. Come on, go to the village. In the end, you realize that we enjoy living in the cities quite a bit. We live in cities, naturally. All over Europe, all over the world, this is a trend and it will not change. And people who live in the city are not worse than those who live in the countryside and vice versa, people who live in the countryside are not worse than those who live in the city. And with all our efforts, and with all that we have done, it will be difficult for us to change that trend.

And then you hear from the same side the talk about how many children we have, there are not enough children, they say, we have no one to leave the country to. And then, whatever you say on the subject, you will be the subject of criticism, because they will tell you that you have offended someone because you want to encourage natalist or pro-natalist policy, because you have denied someone a right. Don't get upset. Today, we are much better off, and television shows and newspaper articles about pets are more popular than those about children.

I am sorry that I have to tell you this as the President of Serbia, I am sorry that no one else has the courage to say that, because they know that they will be lynched. I have been lynched hundreds of times and I have no problem with that. Pets are wonderful. Both the dog, and the cat, and the parrot, and the horses, whoever has them in the country, are wonderful, you love each of them in your own way, but we humans cannot survive, we have no future if we do not have more children. We would have no future, you can say what you want, our country would not survive.


Therefore, I expect the Government to continue with measures to stimulate the birth rate. And this is not meant as an insult to anyone. There are people who cannot have children, there are people whose choice is not to have children, but we, as a society and a state, need to make sure that we have those who will extend the life of the state. A state without citizens cannot exist.

And let me return again, I will say a few more words about the neighbours and what we should do.

What we have achieved in the previous period is very important to us. We have the closest and best possible relations with our Hungarian friends, I mean with the Hungarian state, the closest, historically closest relations, and that is something we must preserve and foster. We also have very good relations with Romania and Bulgaria, in the wider region and with Greece and Turkey. Owing to the Open Balkan initiative, which I will advocate and fight for with all my heart, we probably have the best relations in history with North Macedonia and Albania.

I would especially like to thank the Serbian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije for the very wise decisions he made and thus further contributed to the friendship and brotherhood we have with the Macedonian people. It is something that history, Your Holiness, will judge, not a daily report.

Thanks to you and thanks to the policy we pursued, today Serbia is the most popular country in North Macedonia, among their population, today we feel them as brothers and we do not have any problems in those relations and that is a great thing we managed to do.
          
Our relations with Albania have been ever better, stronger, and firmer. What we will have to pay a lot of attention to are our relations with Zagreb, with Croatia, and to try to change a lot of things, to finally agree that we do not see anything from the past in the same way, that our views of the past are not the same, that they are different, but that we should try to find the same glasses and the same binoculars to look at the future through, and see what we can do together. The doors of Belgrade and the gates, and the doors of the Presidency, will always be open for a good dialogue and conversation with Zagreb.


I expect the same with political Sarajevo, but they need to know that we will always protect the interests of public international law, those are the interests of Serbia, adherence to the Dayton Agreement, adherence to the Constitution of BiH, respect for the integrity of BiH, but that we will always demand that there is no change in the Dayton Agreement without the consent of all three peoples and that we will, understandably, stand side by side with the Republika Srpska, further develop our relations, whenever we can and if we can help the Republika Srpska, we are not ashamed of that, and we do not endanger anyone because of that, because we will try to lend everyone a hand of support, a hand of unity and a hand of help.

People used to say, my father is from the other side of the Drina, and I happen to have been born in Belgrade, and Serbs on the other side of the Drina have always said that people in Serbia could never understand how much the Republika Srpska loved Serbia.

I would say today, especially to our guests from the Republika Srpska, that they should have no doubt about how many people in Serbia love the Republika Srpska, and that it is not any less than the love of the Republika Srpska for Serbia.

What is important for us is that we build good, friendly and close relations with Bosniaks, despite all the political differences, despite the fact that sometimes someone does not want to accept an extended hand. We also have to do that because of the large number of Bosniaks living in our country. The events from Priboj must never happen again.

I will tell you just one thing from which you can best see how much these people love their country. After 37 years, as we managed to build networks of highways, railways, hospitals, factories after many decades, after 37 years we managed to bring two gold medals from the European Boxing Championship, but one medal we did not manage to bring.

I will tell you about this man from Prijepolje, his last name is Mamić or Memić, he won’t mind, he is a Bosniak, who fought so hard for Serbia, with all of his heart, it was a competition in Yerevan, I wish you could see it. And whenever he brought a medal, he would wear the flag of Serbia with pride. We should be proud of our Bosniak brothers and all those who are fighting for this country and build that future together with them.

Now, I would like to add, in a typically Serbian manner, to spice it up, because we can't do without it, Serbs just need to come up a conspiracy theory, that the judges robbed him in the fight for a medal, and made the decision in a vote that he lost that match.

We cannot change the whole world, we can only accept it as it is and seek our place in it. What we can do, what we want to continue, is to change ourselves, to build our country, in every sense to build it, in every field of science, education, health, economy, infrastructure, sports, culture.



We will also raise buildings, because, according to Ivo Andrić, they not only change the appearance and significance of the area in which they are located, but also have deep biological ties with the people who use them. There is an intimate and invisible connection between buildings and human settlements, a complex and vague, but constant exchange of mutual influences. Through the deeds of their individuals, people create buildings reflecting their deepest, often unconscious aspirations and characteristics, and those buildings are slowly and constantly influencing the character and habits of the people. We are becoming better, the great writer told us, by building ourselves and our country. This applies not only to structural buildings, but to everything we have built and to everything we have yet to build.

That is the key goal to which I will dedicate this mandate, my last one, so that when I leave this place, I know that Serbia is a better country than it was when I got here. There is no sacrifice that I will not make for the sake of that goal, and there are no things that I will not do, an effort that I will not be ready for. Because there is no compromise with ideals and that is the only thing with which there can be no compromise. Everything else is subject to compromises and compromise is one beautiful, not ugly word. In the end, this is precisely because my only ideal is Serbia.

By placing my hand on the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia and Miroslav Gospel, I take on the burden of great responsibility. This is not only a responsibility towards this generation of Serbian citizens, but also towards the great predecessors, and especially towards the generations to come. As the great Njegos said: “Later generations judge deeds”.

I live in the belief that our policy will withstand the test of time and that future generations, deprived of the emotions that immediate participants and contemporaries always and inevitably have, will objectively evaluate, from a safe historical distance, our time as a time of stabilization and rise of Serbia.

Before I finish, dear friends, I want to thank everyone. I also want to thank you here, from this convocation of parliament or the old convocation of parliament, because you have brought great and important changes for Serbia. You are the ones who dared to say - we do not want all the power in our hands, we want an independent judiciary. You were the only one who dared to say that and do it. You passed the most important laws, in order to save the people in the time of COVID You adopted the most important measures when Serbia needed to be financially protected and preserved. You have done a lot of good for our people and citizens. It is history that will be the judge, not someone on a daily basis.



I want to thank all the former presidents of the Republic of Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, who have made a huge contribution to the progress of our country, who know what the state is, who with their presence today show that one who once knows what the state is, never forgets duty and does not forget what the state is and always adheres to the basic principle that the state and the interests of the state need to be more important than personal interests. Therefore, I thank you all for being here today and you have my endless respect for all that you have done for our country.

I want to thank you, dear friends from the Republika Srpska. I have worked with you a lot, Željka, Mile, in the past five years, we have done a lot of good things for our people, it seems to me. We have certainly also made mistakes. Thank you for sometimes tolerating my different views, for being able to understand that we do not have to have the same opinion on every issue, but we knew what our goal was, and that is the well-being of our Serbian people, and always the well-being of the Republic of Serbia and the Republika Srpska. Thank you for tolerating me.

Thank you, Your Holiness, for always being with our people, for always being there to share both the good and bad.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family, who have not had an easy time in the past five years. I don’t want to complain, because it will not be any easier for them in the next five years either, I just want to tell Danilo, Milica and Vukan that I love them endlessly and that their dad could not do anything without them.

Because of all the above, I will pray to God in the same way as the wonderful Rebecca West did while the Nazi bombs were falling on her homeland: God, let me behave like a Serb! Long live Serbia!"

Belgrade, 31st May 2022     

Photo: Presidency/Dimitrije Goll    

20. May 2022.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nikola Selaković took part in the 132nd Council of Europe ministerial session in Turin today.

In his address, Minister Selaković highlighted that Serbia's foreign policy was based on respect for the principles of international law, territorial integrity, and political independence of countries, and that Serbia considered it very wrong to violate those principles in the case of any country, as well as in the case of Serbia. “Our position on these principles is very clear. Although it seems that some countries are guided by the principle Quod licet Iovi non licet bovi (What is permissible for Jupiter may not be permissible for a bull), Serbia remains committed to the fundamental principles of international law,” Minister Selaković noted.

Minister Selaković added that safeguarding those principles was more important today than ever and pointed out that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe often explicitly insisted on them in its decisions and declarations. “To review an application of the so-called Kosovo for membership in the Council of Europe, which is legally inadmissible, would bring into question the credibility of this organisation. I emphasise that this move by Priština is absolutely unacceptable for Serbia, and we will be compelled to respond to such gross violation of our territorial integrity with all diplomatic means available," he emphasised.

Minister Selaković stated that Serbia supported any engagement of the Council of Europe in Kosovo and Metohija aimed at improving standards in the field of human rights, rule of law and democracy in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Council of Europe's status-neutral approach. According to him, the authorities from Priština had not shown interest in meeting the obligations under the Brussels dialogue, especially as regards protecting the rights of the Serbs and other non-Albanian communities ― a matter that the UN Secretary General's reports on UNMIK have also been warning about.

“The application for membership is a political goal for Priština, not a value commitment, and it is an attempt to abuse the Council of Europe. It is in deep contrast with the norms and rules of this organisation, other international organisations and international law,” Minister Selaković argued. He emphasised that the application was another clear indication that Priština had no intention of reaching any solution through dialogue, and that Priština had again opted for a unilateral approach, as it had done many times before.

Minister Selaković noted that Serbia was committed to and promoting the principles and values ​​of the Council of Europe, also because it was an important segment of Serbia's path to EU membership to which it, too, was fully committed.

Minister Selaković concluded by saying that Serbia was closely following the implications of the tragedy in Ukraine, notably on the civilian population, and that it would continue to provide humanitarian aid and refuge to persons who enter the territory of Serbia.

                                                                                                                                                          7 February 2022

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic attended today in Geneva the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Serbia, the first of its kind in the Western Balkans.

The agreement was signed at the headquarters of that forum by Director of the Office for Information Technologies and eGovernment Mihailo Jovanovic and Managing Director and Head of the Forum's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Jeremy Jurgens.

The centre in Serbia will be the 16th in the network of centres of the World Economic Forum in the world and the first in the region of the Western Balkans.
 

21. Jan 2022.

18.03.2021.

La République de Serbie en qualité de membre associé à l'OIF, de concert avec toute la communauté francophone dans le monde entier, célèbre le Mois de la Francophonie. Pour tous les amateurs de la culture serbe et de la langue française, le Ministère de la Culture et de l'Information de la République de Serbie a préparé un vaste programme et L’Ambassade de la République de Serbie à Rome vous invite à découvrir la diversité et la richesse de la culture serbe en français.

Il Ministro della Salute italiano ha firmato oggi un'ordinanza (in corso di pubblicazione) che introduce da 16 luglio e fino al 16 luglio le seguenti nuove limitazioni agli spostamenti DA E PER l'estero:

1. Divieto di ingresso in Italia a chi negli ultimi 14 giorni ha soggiornato/transitato in  Serbia.

2. Fanno eccezione al divieto solo i cittadini europei (UE, Schengen, UK, microstati europei) e i loro familiari conviventi (ascendenti e discendenti diretti, coniugi, partner stabili, parti di unione civile) con residenza anagrafica in Italia da data anteriore ad oggi. In ogni caso, per questi soggetti si applica l'obbligo di quarantena.

Tutte le persone fisiche in entrata in Italia, tramite trasporto aereo, ferroviario, marittimo e stradale, anche se asintomatiche, sono obbligate a comunicare immediatamente il proprio ingresso in Italia al Dipartimento di prevenzione dell’Azienda Sanitaria competente per territorio, e sono sottoposte alla sorveglianza sanitaria e all’isolamento fiduciario per un periodo di quattordici giorni (quarantena).

3. Il divieto di ingresso in Italia o l’obbligo di quarantena non si applicano a membri del corpo diplomatico, Ambasciate, Missioni e Organizzazioni internazionali nell’esercizio delle proprie funzioni e agli autotrasportatori.

4. Sospensione di voli diretti e indiretti dalla Serbia.

Per effetto dell'odierna ordinanza, Air Serbia ha cancellato con effetto immediato tutti i voli da/per l'Italia.

5. Tutti coloro che entrano in Italia devono compilare il modulo di autocertificazione.

Sono esentati solo i transfrontalieri e i movimenti da e per San Marino e Vaticano.

Il nuovo modulo di autodichiarazione: Autodichiarazione

Si comunica che il Governo della Repubblica di Serbia, nella Seduta del Governo, tenutasi il 14 marzo u.s., ha emanato il Decreto che modifica il Decreto di proclamazione della malattia COVID-19 causata dal virus SARS-CoV-2 della malattia infettiva, punto 4 del Decreto, ed al fine di impedire la diffusione di questa malattia infettiva sul territorio della Repubblica di Serbia, il quale stabilisce divieti nei confronti dei cittadini stranieri che provengono dai paesi, ovvero dai territori in cui la trasmissione della malattia COVID-19 è intensa, ossia dai focolai dell’epidemia, ed in particolare: dalla provincia di Hubei nella Repubblica Popolare di Cina, dalla città di Daega e dalla Provincia di Geyeongsang della Repubblica di Corea, dalla Federazione Svizzera, dalla Repubblica Italiana, dalla Repubblica Islamica dell’Iran, dalla Romania, dal Regno di Spagna, dalla Repubblica Federativa di Germania, dalla Repubblica Francese, dalla Repubblica d’Austria, dalla Repubblica di Slovenia e dalla Repubblica Ellenica, e sulla base del quale le autorità competenti vieteranno temporaneamente ovvero limiteranno l’ingresso e la circolazione.

Tali misure non saranno applicate nei seguenti casi:

1) il personale a bordo delle autovetture che effettuano il trasporto internazionale nei trasporti terrestri. Nel caso dei trasporti internazionali di transito del carico per via terrestre, il trasporto si limita al periodo non superiore a 12 ore dal momento dell’ingresso nel territorio della Repubblica di Serbia;
2) il personale a bordo delle navi che trasportano la merce verso uno dei porti nazionali. Nel caso della navigazione di transito sulla rotta fluviale internazionale sul territorio della Repubblica di Serbia, la medesima è limitata al periodo non superiore a 90 ore per le composizioni navali e non superiore a 60 ore per le navigazioni autonome dal momento dell’ingresso nel territorio della Repubblica di Serbia nel caso della navigazione a monte, ovvero non superiore a 72 ore per le composizioni navali e non superiore a 54 ore per le navigazioni autonome dal momento dell’ingresso nel territorio della Repubblica di Serbia nel caso della navigazione a valle;
3) il personale ferroviario dei treni che entrano nella zona delle stazioni di confine definite dagli accordi internazionali;
4) il personale a bordo degli aerei la cui destinazione finale è la Repubblica di Serbia o i quali sono in transito attraverso gli aeroporti internazionali della Repubblica di Serbia;
5) le persone autorizzate a entrare nella Repubblica di Serbia da parte dell’Autorità di lavoro del Governo composta dal Ministero della Salute, dal Ministero degli Affari Esteri, dal Ministero dell’Interno e dal Ministero dell’Edilizia, dei Trasporti e delle Infrastrutture;
6) le missioni umanitarie con l’obbligatorio accompagnamento concordato per via diplomatica.

I cittadini della Repubblica di Serbia provenienti dai paesi, ovvero dai territorio con la diffusione intensa della malattia COVID-19, ovvero dai focolai dell’epidemia sopra indicati, sono obbligati a sottoporsi all’autoisolamento per la durata di 14 giorni.

Si sottolinea che le misure di divieto si riferiscono a tutti i cittadini stranieri (e dei paesi terzi) che provengono dai paesi, ovvero dai territori con la diffusione intensa della malattia COVID-19, ovvero dai focolai dell’epidemia, sopra indicati.

Il Decreto è entrato in vigore in data odierna, 14 marzo 2020, e rimane in vigore fino a ulteriore avviso.

Banca Centrale serba ha pubblicato Guida finanziaria con l'intenzione di migliorare la consapevolezza dei nostri cittadini che vogliono ritornare in Serbia. La Guida contiene informazioni sulle normative riguardo le attività commerciali e gestione delle valute estere che sono importanti per il ritorno dei nostri cittadini e la loro rapida integrazione.

Versione in lingua serba:

https://www.nbs.rs/internet/latinica/20/plp/finansijski_vodic_za_povratnike.pdf

Versione in lingua inglese:

https://www.nbs.rs/internet/english/20/dev/finansijski_vodic_za_povratnike_e.pdf

Tenendo presente che le elezioni parlamentari si terranno nella Repubblica di Serbia nel 2020, ai fini della notifica tempestiva dei nostri cittadini e dell'esercizio dei diritti di voto all'estero, le parti interessate sono invitate a compilare la domanda (in allegato) e presentarla al Consolato Generale della Repubblica di Serbia a Milano via e-mail a info@gkrsmi.it .

La richiesta completata riguarda la creazione di un database di cittadini della Repubblica di Serbia che desiderano esercitare il loro diritto di voto, con l'obiettivo di garantire il numero richiesto di candidati all'apertura di un seggio elettorale all'estero.

Sottolineiamo che questa richiesta è destinata alla compilazione dell'elenco di coloro che sono interessati a votare all'estero, mentre l’iscrizione ufficiale sulla lista dei votanti sarà effettuata dopo la pubblicazione delle elezioni parlamentari nella Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica di Serbia. 

Il modulo è disponibile qui: http://milano.mfa.gov.rs/odrzavanje/uploads/Zahtev.pdf

Il 13/11/2019. Console Generale della Repubblica di Serbia a Milano Radmila Selakovic ha visitato l'ospedale pediatrico "L'Ospedale Infantile Regina Margherita" di Torino.

Il 05 novembre scorso  Console Generale della Repubblica di Serbia a Milano Radmila Selakovic ha visitato l'ospedale della Fondazione IRCCS - Policlinico San Matteo a Pavia, dove i bambini della Repubblica di Serbia sono in cura per leucemia e malattie autoimmuni e sono sottoposti a chemioterapia o in attesa di un trapianto di midollo osseo.

Nell'ambito della celebrazione del 140 ° anniversario dell'istituzione di relazioni diplomatiche tra R.di Serbia e R. Italia,  organizzata dalla Fondazione Bussolera Branca e in collaborazione con il Museo di Arte Naiva e Marginale di Jagodina e il Consolato Generale della  R. di Serbia a Milano, il 26.10.2019., la conferenza "Art Brut" e "Outsider art" di Serbia con particolare riferimento alle opere d'arte esposte in Casa dell'Art,  si è tenuta di fronte a un vasto pubblico a Mairano di Casteggio, in provincia di Pavia.

Comunichiamo che il Consolato Generale della Repubblica di Serbia a Milano sara' chiuso il giorno 11. novembre 2019. per festività nazionali - Armistizio di Compiègne.

Il 13/10/2019. la Chiesa serba a Carate Brianza, Milano, ha celebrato il suo santo patrono, Santo Stefano.

In quell'occasione si tenne la liturgia servita dalla sua eccellenza, il vescovo austriaco-svizzero Andrej.

Numerosi membri della diaspora serba, rappresentanti della Chiesa cattolica in Italia, nonché rappresentanti del Consolato Generale della Repubblica di Serbia a Milano, hanno partecipato alla liturgia e al pranzo cerimoniale.

Il Museo Nikola Tesla di Belgrado, in collaborazione con lo studio “Bulb Creation” di Belgrado e “Venice Exhibition” di Venezia, ha presentato il 03.10.2019.  in anteprima al pubblico italiano la mostra “Nikola Tesla – uomo dal futuro”.

La mostra rimarrà aperta fino al 29.marzo 2020. nello “Spazio Ventura XV” a Milano, in Via Privata Giovanni Ventura 15.

In occasione dell’anteprima erano presenti Ambasciatore della Repubblica di Serbia in Italia  sig.Goran Aleksic, Console Generale della Repubblica di Serbia a Milano sig.ra Radmila Selakovic, direttrice del Museo Nikola Tesla di Belgrado sig.ra Ivona Jevtic, autorità locali, rappresentanti del Corpo Consolare di Milano, rappresentanti della diàspora e dei media.

Il Museo Nikola Tesla di Belgrado, in collaborazione con lo studio "Bulb Creation" di Belgrado e "Venice Exhibition" di Venezia, presenterà al pubblico italiano la mostra "Nikola Tesla - uomo dal futuro".

L'apertura della mostra è prevvista per il 05. ottobre 2019 nello "Spazio Ventura XV" a Milano, e rimarrà aperta fino al 29. marzo 2020.

La manifestazione "Milano Fashion Week" ha visto quest' anno come protagonista la stilista serba Suzana Peri' che ha presentato il 19. settembre presso il Palazzo Giureconsulti la sua nuova collezione "La Perla Bianca".

La presentazione organizzata dalla piattaforma milanese "Mad mood" è stata accompagnata dalle note della bravissima cantante jazz Lena Kovačević.

All' evento ha partecipato il pubblico italiano, i numerosi cittadini serbi residenti in Italia, come anche i rappresentanti del Consolato Generale della Repubblica di Serbia a Milano.

Il Console ha incontrato il  direttore  dell’ospedale bergamasco e ha  fatto visita ai bambini serbi trapiantati, ricoverati nel reparto pediatrico, dove si è intrattenuta con alcuni di loro condividendo anche con i genitori e dirigenti del nosocomio esperienze e speranze di un percorso di cura non facile.

The brochure can be downloaded here: http://ojdinfo.msp.rs/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/REPUBLIC-OF-SERBIA-CANDIDATE-FOR-THE-UNESCO-EXECUTIVE-BOARD-2019-2023.pdf

I CITTADINI DELLA REPUBBLICA DI SERBIA, NATI SUL TERRITORIO DELLE EX REPUBBLICHE JUGOSLAVE, I QUALI NEL PERIODO PRECEDENTE NON AVEVANO AVVIATO LA PROCEDURA DI ISCRIZIONE DELLA NASCITA NEI REGISTRI ANAGRAFICI DELLA REPUBBLICA DI SERBIA, DEVONO, SENZA RINVIO, AVVIARE GLI APPOSITI PROCEDIMENTI AMMINISTRATIVI ED EFFETTUARE L’ISCRIZIONE NEL REGISTRO DELLE NASCITE NELLA REPUBBLICA DI SERBIA.

I CITTADINI I QUALI NON LO FARANNO NON POTRANNO AVERE I NUOVI, OVVERO CAMBIARE I PASSAPORTI ATTUALI A CUI ERA SCADUTA LA VALIDITà, NEL CASO CHE ALL’ATTO DELLA PRESENTAZIONE DELLA RICHIESTA PRESENTERANNO GLI ESTRATTI DI NASCITA RILASCIATI DALLE AUTORITA’ COMPETENTI DELLE EX REPUBBLICHE JUGOSLAVE, INVECE DELL’ESTRATTO DI NASCITA RILASCIATO DAL REGISTRO DELLE NASCITE DELLA REPUBBLICA DI SERBIA.

We would like to inform you that the Belgrade City Administration, Secretariat for Culture, has announced a "Public international two-phase open competition for the design of a conceptual solution for the Zoran Đinđić Memorial at the Students Square in Belgrade"...

Why Kosovo is ineligible for membership in UNESCO?

Because the request for its membership is a serious breach of the international law, the Constitution of UNESCO, the legally binding UN Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and the Charter of the UN whose Article 25 says that „The Members of the UN agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the present Charter".

Because according to the UN Security Council resolution 1244, which reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia), Kosovo and Metohija is an integral part of the Republic of Serbia, under the administration of the UN. Since Kosovo cannot be considered a State, it does not fulfill the basic requirement for membership set out by the UNESCO Constitution.

Because unilateral attempts such as this one seriously harm and disrupt the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, under the auspices of the European Union in which mutually acceptable solutions for many complex issues have been devised so far. The issue of the Serbian cultural heritage and the property of the Serbia Orthodox Church has not yet been discussed within the dialogue where it belongs.

Because this is an unacceptable politicization of UNESCO which should not overtake the competences of the UN Security Council as the highest authority for the preservation of the international peace and security. UNESCO should not serve as an instrument for the affirmation of an illegal and unilaterally declared independence of a part of the territory of one UN member state. The primary goal of UNESCO is to promote universal values of humanity through education, science and culture not to make political decisions with regard to the statehood.

Because this would be a dangerous precedent, harmful for many states. This would open the door for other entities to follow the same path thus threatening territorial integrity and sovereignty of other member states.

Because this issue is polarizing the membership of UNESCO.

Because, besides not being a state, Pristina does not have moral credibility for membership. Anyone aspiring to UNESCO membership must prove not only in words but as well in deeds its commitment to the goals of the UNESCO Constitution, which certainly is incompatible with deliberate, systematic, vandal demolition of Serbian cultural and historic monuments with the aim to remove the traces of centuries-long existence of Serbs in this area as well as the impunity of the perpetrators of such barbaric acts unworthy of the 21st century. These acts are comparable only to the acts of destruction of cultural heritage by terrorist groups in the Middle East and elsewhere that the world is witnessing and UNESCO is strongly condemning.

Because four Serbian orthodox monasteries are inscribed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in danger although the armed conflict in Kosovo is over for many years now. In danger from whom?

Because the inclusion of this item in the provisional agenda of the 197th session of the UNESCO Executive board raises serious concerns about the compliance with procedure and the respect of the established UNESCO rules. Just to mention that that even publishing of the document on the unacceptability of Kosovo's application for UNESCO membership from the standpoint of the international law, prepared by Serbian Delegation to UNESCO, as an official document, as we requested, was refused. And the only intention was the voice of Serbia also to be heard.

Because we all would have to live with the negative consequences of such an irresponsible decision from the lesioning of the international law up to the fate of the Serbian cultural heritage in the province of Kosovo and Metohija which not only belongs to the Serbian people but also represents a part of the historical and civilizational heritage of modern Europe and the world.

The national day of Serbia at Expo Milano 2015 that was celebrated on 22nd June 2015, was attended by the State delegation headed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić, as well as numerous domestic and foreign guests.

As part of the International Book Fair in Turin, Serbian citizen Slobodanka Ćirić has been granted the first prize of the Lingua Madre photography competition, on the topic ' Paper Rose' . Vice Consul Olivera Šopalović granted Mrs. Ćirić during an awarding ceremony held in Turin on 18.05.2015.

Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Milan, organized honorary ceremony on 24.04.2015. in order to award Cesare Vismara, who has been posthumously granted for his merits in sport by President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolić.

On the 04th of March 2014 The Mayor of the city of Turin Mr. Piero Fasino received the Consul General of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Nebojsa Vusurovic and the Vice Consul Mr. Bojan Stevanovic in Turins Palace Civic. In a cordial atmosphere the possibilities of further improvement of the cooperation between the city of Turin and the Republic of Serbia had been discused. The main focus was on establishing specific projects in the scope of cultural, scolar, tourist and eno-gastronomic cooperation and especially in light of the forthcoming EXPO 2015 global show. The Republic of Serbia has been offered to organize the presentation of its economic potential to various companies in Turin and the region in particular through the organization of "Country Presentation" of Serbia in Turin.