15.02.2017.
Official Reception on the Occasion of the Statehood Day
On the occasion of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia, President Tomislav Nikolić hosted tonight an official reception attended by the representatives of legislative, executive and judicial power, the President of the Republic of Srpska, Mr Milorad Dodik, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Ministry of Defence and Serbian Armed Forces, clergy, as well as the persons from cultural and public life.
In his address, the President of the Republic pointed out that even on that day Serbia was living several centuries long trials and suffering and it was going through them with greater of lesser success, led by the traits that are symbolised by Karađorđe and Miloš.
- In order to survive and remain, in order to win, it always required the wisdom of Obrenović and the courage of Petrović. Until this very day… And it will not end with our generation. Such is our fate, our freedom-loving nature, our character that strives to justice and defends fundamental rights of a man- Nikolić said and added that Sretenje Constitution could serve as an example that we celebrated that day, which was a document written two centuries ago that can be read even today and understood as a carrier of ideas upon which the majority of modern states’ constitutions were built, but it also served as an example of certain principles upon which the European Union rests.Speaking about Sretenje Constitution from 1835, President Nikolić also pointed out that it had made a significant step forward at that time causing reactions and disapproval of then great states, unwilling to accept the values defined by the very Constitution of then vassal Principality of Serbia, and today, those values represent civilizational heritage.
- Austria, Turkey and Russia, seemed to have competed which would dispute it by more crushing words. To them, it was a utopian, subversive, even anti-christian and dangerous in its liberal views. In essence, behind the disputes lay a fear of freedom-loving ideas, constitutional limitations imposed on rulers, protection of human rights and freedoms – meaning the main and fundamental values that we live today – said the President.
He noted that by the First Uprising in which our forefathers had demonstrated an Obilić-like courage, we started the renewal of the Serbian state, and by the Sretenje Constitution we had given a huge significance to today’s understanding of the role of democratic institutions.
- We have no right to renounce the values inherited a long time ago. It is upon us to fight for them and defend them, learning, by doing so, from the wise Prince Miloš what
position to take in historical circumstances, how to preserve ourselves in constant trials and how to build a humane society, a thriving Serbia renowned by international community – said Tomislav Nikolić adding that he was proud and honoured that day to look back on not only the victorious past from the time of the foundation of the modern Serbian state, but on the present as well which promises a prosperous future.- Over the last five years we have raised the institutions of the system, recovered staggering economy and industry, shifted into full swing our infrastructural projects, initiated the processes of village and agriculture revival, started the reforms in the most vital areas from health and education to science and culture – stressed the President of the Republic of Serbia and underlined that the results are visible – starting from the reduction of unemployment, cranes and construction workers can be seen on each step, up to a visible respect that Serbia enjoys in the international community – starting from political structures to academic, scientific, artistic and sports communities.
He further added that the actions and cuts and “unpopular measures” required Obilić-like courage and the Miloš-like wisdom.
- We do neither lack in the first nor the second one, since the responsibility for Serbia and its future is greater than all of us individually, and there is no moving back or withdrawal, even when all the winds want to bend and break you, even when you negotiate with Priština whose self-proclaimed power-holders, against human justice and international law, against truth, steal and ravage your home, a third of the sovereign state of Serbia – said the President and confirmed that even then Serbia was ready to talk: Not to be blackmailed, we are ready for an agreement – not for ready-made solutions, we are ready for essential autonomy within Serbia, but never for an independent state of Kosovo!
He confirmed that there was no moving back or withdrawal when it came to the establisment of the Association of Serbian Municipalities which had been agreed, signed in front of international officials, but there was solely dishonourable stepping forward of Priština power-holders, the silence of the international community which should be a guarantee of the implementation of the agreed and which Serbia had trusted.
- There is also no moving back or withdrawal from our path towards the European Union whose fundamental principles we recognised reading the Sretenje Constitution. We are ready, but what remains is for the European Union to recognise our principles and abide by international law, stated Nikolić adding that there was no moving back nor withdrawal from our past as well, which thought us that one’s wealth is measured by the number of his friends, and that was why we were tirelessly enhancing our relations with China, Russia, the states of the North and Latin America, African and Arab countries, with all those who share our system of values.
Speaking about the manner in which he discharged his duties, the President said that he proudly represented his country and defended its interests everywhere and always with equal responsibility not solely to his ancestors and offspring, but to all the citizens and those who had thought that he should not have enjoyed the confidence of the people.- The confidence gave me the strength to hold my head high when talking to presidents and officials of other states, to ask for investments and funds, to negotiate diplomatic and economic relations, exchanges of the young and cooperation in the field of science and culture, in a nut shell – to open the door for our Government which subsequently outstandingly implemented the projects – said Tomislav Nikolić, and, emphasising that Karađorđe and Miloš, two centuries ago, did a lot thinking about the generations in the distant future, confirmed his dedication to the same path, and concluded by wishing the citizens of Serbia that each Sretenje that followed be happier and more prosperous than the previous one.
On the occasion of 15th February, the Statehood Day, the President decorated 84 individuals and institutions, as well as the members of the Ministry of Defence and Serbian Armed Forces. The Order of Karađorđe’s Star of the First Degree was awarded to the Olympic and Paraolympic Committee of Serbia and the Gallery of the Naive Art in Kovačica.
The winner of the Order of Karađorđe’s Star of the Second Degree is Nemanja Radulović, and the Order of Karađorđe’s Star of the Third Degree was given to athlete Ivana Španović, tennis players Ana Ivanović and Jelena Janković, and the ex selector of the female basketball national team, Ms Marina Maljković.
Sretenje Order of the First Degree was awarded to the Serbian Academy of Science and Art, Matica Srpska and Somborska Preparandija (Faculty of Pedagogy in Sombor), while the Sretenje Order of the Second Degree was given to the Red Cross of Serbia, town of Jausier in France, the Museum of Pedagogy in Belgrade, Vojvodina Archives, Ilija M. Kolarac Endowment and primary school “Braća Aleksić” from Lipljane.
The Gold Medal for Bravery “Miloš Obilić” was given to Renato Grbić, Colonel Patrick Stephan Bario and Colonel Jacque Ogar, while this recognition was posthumously awarded to a member of the Ministry of Interior, Nenad Stojadinović.
On the occasion of the Statehood Day, members of the Ministry of Defence and Serbian Armed Forces received medals: Medal of the White Eagle with Swords, three Medals of Merit for Defence and Security of the First Degree, two Gold and 18 Silver Medals of Merit, and six Gold and 27 Silver Medals for Diligent Service. These decorations will be conferred to the members of the Ministry of Defence and Serbian Armed Forces on the Serbian Armed Forces’ Day on 23rd April.
In 1804, on Candlemas, at an assembly of prominent Serbs from the territory of Belgrade (or Smederevo) pashalic, which took place in Marićević ravine in Orašac, a decision was passed to start an uprising against Turks and Đorđe Petrović-Karađorđe was elected as Grand Vožd.
On the same date in 1835, the first Constitution of the Principality of Serbia, known as Sretenje Constitution, was passed in Kragujevac. The constitutional provisions that it contained were formulated after the constitutions of France and Belgium. The text of the Constitution, unusually liberal for the circumstances of that time, was produced by Dimitrije Davidović, a notable journalist and Serbian national worker. Such constitutional concept immediately caused disapproval of Austria, Turkey and Russia which is why it was suspended soon after.
