Celebrating the Russia Day, the embassy of Russian Federation in Belgrade held the reception which was attended by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić, Prime Minister designate Aleksandar Vucić, Serbian Patriarch Irinej, Belgrade Mayor Siniša Mali, as well as several ministers in the caretaker government and the diplomatic corps. Official reception marked the 25th anniversary of the formation of modern Russia, and 1,154 years of existence of the Russian state.
Russian Ambassador in Belgrade H E Aleksandar Chepurin told the assembled dignitaries that Serbia was an important and reliable strategic partner of Russia in the Balkans and throughout Europe.
Photo: Tanjug
According to him, Russia firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and the peace and stability in the Balkans.
“We highly value the sincere sentiment of the Serbian leadership and its people for the further improvement of cooperation with Russia in all directions,” said Chepurin. He said that “relations between the two countries focused on the future and and have a good potential.”
The Novi Sad Gymnasium “Jovan Jovanović Zmaj” Choir performed the national anthems of Russia and Serbia at the opening ceremony.
After the speech Cheputin made a toast to the President of Serbia, the Serbian prime minister and the Patriarch, he said, for the prosperity of the two nations.
Celebration of Day of Russia in Belgrade was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić, Minister of Interior Neboša Stefanović, Minister of Defence Zoran Đorđević, Energy Minister Aleksandar Antić, Minister of Agriculture Snežana Bogosavljević Bošković and Emergency Situations Minister Velimir Ilić.
The reception was attended by the leaders of the Serbian Radical Party Vojislav Šešelj, DSS Sanda Rašković Ivić, Dveri Boško Obradović, as well as many MPs, public figures and others.
Great attention was attracted and coming singing legend Đorđje Marjanović.