On November 20, 2024 the First Lady of the Republic of Serbia Mrs. Tamara Vučić, at the invitation of O. Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, and in the organization of the Embassy of Ukraine to the Holy See, participated at the events on November 20th marking the thousandth day of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The program included attendance at the general audience in the Vatican and greeting Pope Francis, a visit to the Vatican hospital "Bambino Gesu", a meeting with the First Lady of Italy and a solemn mass in the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere. The general audience was held in the St. Peter's square in the Vatican, and the pope personally greeted all the First Ladies individually.  Laura Mattarella, the First Lady of Italy, hosted the first ladies in the Presidential palace Quirinale. The solemn mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere was led by H. E. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops' Conference and the Pope's personal envoy for negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian sides on humanitarian issues.

New Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to the Republic of Serbia, Francesco Amoruso, who was recently appointed to that position, visited Amb. Avramović in the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on November 6, 2024. The two ambassadors have discussed potential grounds of further cooperation. They reconsidered in particularly how to denote the 1885 event when the Sovereign Military Order of Malta donated to the Princedom of Serbia a sanitary train for transportation of the wounded during the sc. Serbian-Bulgarian War at the just opened railway Belgrade-Nish. Reconsidered was also an idea to print a postal stamp in memory of 140 years of that event.

At the invitation and in the organization of the prestigious international association “Carità politica", the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See, Dr. Sima Avramović, held a lecture "Interreligious Dialogue in Serbia" on October 16 in the Vatican Palace of St. Callistus. Federico Lombardi, president of the Vatican Foundation "Joseph Ratzinger - Benedict the Sixteenth" and the Ambassador of East Timor to the Holy See Chloe Sylvia Tilman Dindo also took part at the meeting.

Amb. Avramović explained the historical, cultural and geographical context of interactions of different religions on the territory of Serbia, as well as the development of religious freedom legislation since the first Serbian Constitution of 1835. He profoundly highlighted solutions of the actual Law on Churches and Religious Communities of 2006 as he was a member of the drafting committee. He highlighted important role of leading legal experts belonging to different religions from Italy, Germany, Greece and the USA in all segments of the legislative process. He particularly stressed responsive cooperation with the representatives of seven traditional churches and religious communities in Serbia during the five years long law-drafting procedure, as well as importance of their cooperation in justification of religious education in public schools, as a very solid ground for an intensive and successful interreligious dialogue

He revealed and illustrated that sc. Kosovo is the only vulnerable area in terms of religious freedom, particularly due to constant attacks on the Orthodox churches, monasteries, cemeteries and believers since the “Pogrom” of 2004 until today.

Pope Francis, during the regular Sunday prayer (Angelus), announced the proclamation of twenty-one new cardinals at the Consistory, which will take place on December 8, 2024. Among them is Msgr. Ladislav Nemet, Archbishop of Belgrade, who will thus become the first cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church from the Republic of Serbia. Cardinal is the highest title (other than the papal) in the Roman Catholic Church, and these dignitaries become part of the College of Cardinals. This is an exceptional recognition for Msgr. L. Nemet, the Belgrade Archdiocese, as well as for the Republic of Serbia, and carries a special importance in the year in which the centenary of the Belgrade Archdiocese is celebrated.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić met in Belgrade the State Secretary of the Holy See H. E. mons. Pietro Parolin on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 to discuss regular political dialogue at all levels as well as protection and renovation of Serbian religious and cultural heritage in the Autonomous province of Kosovo and Metohija. He said that Serbia highly appreciates the Holy See's principled position on non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo, as well as its understanding for Serbia's position, based on respect of international law.

President Vučić said that Serbia is committed to continue maintaining and advance constructive relations with the Holy See as it shares the same views on many international issues, above all on protection of Christians and Christian heritage.

On September 17, 2024, the Belgrade Archdiocese celebrated its 100th anniversary at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Belgrade. The Holy mass on this occasion was led by H. E. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, State Secretary of the Holy See, together with the host of this Eucharistic celebration, Belgrade Archbishop Mons. Dr. Ladislav Nemet, Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic of Serbia Archbishop Mons. Santo Gangemi and numerous bishops from Serbia and the region.

The solemn mass was attended by the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić as the patron of the celebration, His Holiness Patriarch of Serbia Porfirije with his entourage, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Miloš Vučević, Minister of Justice Maja Popović, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs Nemanja Starović, Director of the Administration for cooperation with churches and religious communities Vladimir Roganović, representatives of other churches and religious communities, numerous ambassadors and other dignitaries.

The 18th Congress of Christian Archaeology, which has a tradition of 130 years, was held in Belgrade from September 2-6, 2024. This year it was organized by the Institute of Archaeology from Belgrade, the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology, the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Belgrade and the National Museum of Serbia. More than 230 distinguished scientists and researchers from thirty countries around the world participated at the Congress.

The opening ceremony was held on September 2 at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. The audience was greeted by His Eminence Bishop Nektarije of Jegar, who read the letter of His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, Secretary of the Pontifical Institute Carlo del Oso, who delivered the letter of His Holiness Pope Francis, Minister of Culture in the Government of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković, director of the SAIGE project on behalf of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Viktor Nedović, dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology Zoran Ranković, director of the Archaeological Institute Snežana Golubović and rector of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology Stefan Heid. In addition, the letter of His Excellency Sima Avramović, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See and President of the Honorary Organizing Committee of the 18th Congress of Christian Archaeology, was also read.

On July 11, 2024 Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See Sima Avramović had a meeting in the Apostolic Palace with long-term Director of the Vatican State Secretariat Archive Johan Ickx. He delivered him a few important editions of the State Archive of Serbia, including the Catalogue of the exhibition “Serbia and the Holy See 1878-1914”, which was held both in Belgrade and at the Pontifical Lateran University in 2021

Director Ickx expressed his willingness and openness for cooperation with the State Archive of Serbia, including research and editing publications of mutual interest.

On June 28, 2024 Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See H.E. Sima Avramović received by Pope Francis the Order of Pius IX Magna Croce Equitem Ordinis Piani. It is the highest decoration conferred by the Vatican on laypersons as a papal order of knighthood

The ceremony was performed by Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs, who delivered the decoration to eleven ambassadors accredited to the Holy See. The ceremony was held in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican State Secretariat headquarters.

Hosted and organized by H. E. Ladislav Nemet, Archbishop Metropolitan of Belgrade and CCEE Vice-President, the Plenary Assembly of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe was held for the first time in Belgrade on June 24-26, 2024. Archbishop Metropolitan of Vilnus H. E. Gintaras Grušas, the president of the CCEE, as well as representatives of all European bishop conferences, presided the meeting. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, was entrusted with the main report of the Plenary Assembly.

Participants of the Plenary Assembly of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe had also a privilege to meet and talk to His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Temple of St. Sava.

On June 4, 2024 the crypt of St. Sava Church in Belgrade hosted promotion of the book “Religion, culture and politics” by Darko Tanasković, ex-ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holly See (2002 to 2008). Along with the author participants were His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, Bishop Irinej of Bačka, and ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holly See Sima Avramović. The promotion was organised and conducted by deacon Vladan Tatalović.

A significant part of the book is dedicated to the Vatican politics and diplomacy, relationships between the Holy See and the Republic of Serbia, Roman Catholic Church issues, ecumenical relations, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, attempts to canonize Croatian Archbishop Aloysius Stepinac, etc.

The event was attended by a broad spectrum of audiences, including prominent hosts from the Serbian Orthodox Church and representatives of the Republic of Serbia.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the ten member states accession to the EU (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) the Holly Mass in the Church of St. Thomas of Villanova was presided over by H.E. Archbishop Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations within the Holy See. Following the event members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holly See visited the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo alongside Lake Albano, famed as summer residence of the popes. Since October 2016 Pope Francis decided to open the buildings as a public museum. 

On Easter Sunday 2024, Pope Francis delivered his traditional “Urbi et orbi” message and blessing from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica in the presence of about 60.000 people. Members of the Diplomatic Corps with their families and guests were traditionally following that event from the gallery of the Apostolic Palace. Amb. Avramovic used that opportunity to exchange opinions on different issues with the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations within the Holy See's Secretariat of State, Mons. P. R. Gallagher.

Promotion of the book “Le Relazioni politico-ecclesiastiche tra la Santa Sede e la Serbia dal 1878 al 1918“ by Milosav Đoković, Research Associate of the Institute for Balkan Studies to the Serbian Acadamy of Sciences and Arts, was held on December 14, 2023 at the oldest pontificial university Gregoriana. The book derived out of the PhD thesis by M. Đoković with the same title defended at the Pontificial Oriental Institute in Rome. The book was published this year by the Pontifical University Gregoriana within the edition „Miscellanea Historiae Pontificiae“.

The event was opened by President of the Pontificial Commettee of Historical Sciences, Prof. Marek Inglot, and ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See, Prof. Sima Avramović. The results of the book as well as relationships between the Holy See and the Republic of Serbia by the end of 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries were analyzed by several prestigious Italian and Serbian scholars, as well as by the author himself. The event was also attended by Mirjana Jeremić, recently appointed ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Italy.

The journal „Carità Politica“ edited by the International Association of Vatican with the equivalent name published a contribution of Ambassador Sima Avramović on relationships between the Holy See and the Republic of Serbia. It is an abbreviated version of the lecture held by amb. Avramović at the Conference on inter-Christian relationships in March 2023 organised by the „Carità Politica“. The printed version of the contribution does not encompass a historical overview on Orthodox-Catholic relationships throughout the centuries in Serbia and was rather focused to its segment on actual contemporary relationships.

The event was opened by the founder of the Association Prof. Alfredo Luciani, while Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, gave a profound introductory speech.

On November 14, 2023 the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia organized a visit for the members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See of the exhibition “Itinerarum Romanum Serbiae” held in the “Museo Civico” in Albano Laziale.

The well attended exhibition on ancient Roman city of Viminacium, capital of the ancient province of Moesia Superior, as well as of 18 Roman emperors born at the present territory of the Republic of Serbia, was prepared by the Archeological Institute of Belgrade and the Museum of the city of Albano. The event was followed by the Conference “Itinerarum Romanum Serbiae” held by a dozen of archeologists and scholars from the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Italy.

On June 6, 2023 the Sistine Chapel Choir (Coro della Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina) took part at the International Choir Festival ”Musical Edict” in the city of Niš, famed as the birthplace of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. The complete Choir constituted of 24 professional male singers and 30 boys had a performance of about 45 minutes in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Niš, conducted by its Director Marcos Pavan. Established in the 15th century, the Sistine Chapel Choir is the oldest existing choir among the Christians. Serbia is the second Orthodox country to host the Sistine Chapel Choir after Russia.  

This extraordinary musical event was attended by Bishop Arsenije of Niš as a host, Archbishop of Belgrade Mons. Ladislav Laslo Nemet, ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See Sima Avramović, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Belgrade Rev. Robert Pastyik, Mayor of Niš Mrs. Dragana Sotirovski and other distinguished guests.

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See Sima Avramović took part in the Conference on inter-Christian relationships organized by the International Association Carità politica approved by the Holly See. After a short introduction by its founder Prof. Alfredo Luciani, the keynote speaker was H.E. Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

As an invited speaker Amb. Avramović was firstly speaking about the early historical roots of relationships between Orthodox and Catholic at Balkans and their blending. He particularly pointed to connections of the first Serbian Nemanjić dynasty with the Catholics, such as coronation of king Stephan the First-Crowned by the papal legate in 1217, as well as mix marriages and family ties between the first Serbian kings and European Catholic princesses (Ana Dandola, Helen of Anjoy/ Angevin). He also noted that the first Serbian legal code – Nomocanon of St. Sava of 1219 was a kind of compilation of Roman-Byzantine civil and Church law with some elements of the Slav customary law.

On the Statehood Day of Serbia, February 15, 2023, the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, awarded to the former Belgrade Archbishop and Metropolitan mons. Stanislav Hočevar the Medal of the Serbian Flag of the first degree for distinguished merits and personal contribution in spreading harmony, the spirit of tolerance and religious cooperation

The Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Porfirije, was present among the numerous guests at this solemn ceremony.

The Parish of St. Sava, recently registered in Rome, organized a festivity dedicated to St. Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, prince, monk, lawgiver and the first Serbian Archbishop (1219). The event was held in the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See and the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of Italy.

The celebration was attended, among other guests, by undersecretary mons. Andreas Palmieri and mons. Jaromir Zagrapa from the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity of the Holy See.

Ambassador Sima Avramovic and Deputy Chief of Mission Srdjan Miljkovic attended the traditional annual audience of the Lieutenant of the Grand Master S.E. Fra John Dunlap with the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The ceremony was held at the Villa Magistrale on the Aventine Hill in Rome.

Ambassador Sima Avramović and Deputy Chief of Mission Srdjan Miljković had a great honour to represent Republic of Serbia at the traditional annual Pope Francis' address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See. It was an opportunity to exchange the New Year’s greetings with His Holiness.

In the Basilica “Santa Maria degli Angelli e dei Martiri” in Rome was held the Funeral Mass for Serbian football player Siniša Mihajlović on December 19, 2022. The solemn Mass was celebrated by, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. The ceremony was followed by the Orthodox funeral rite held by bishop Andrej of Austria and Switzerland of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Also, bishop Andrej led the private funeral ceremony at the Verano Monumental Cemetery in Rome followed by his moving speech. Thousands of people greeted the coffin in front of the Basilica, as well as the day before, when the coffin was exposed in the Campidoglio City Hall. Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holly See and to the Sovereign Order of Malta Sima Avramović took part in all those events.

The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See held the conference dealing with the results of the project “Protecting sacred places of the Mediterranean” performed in 2012, which was supported by the European Commission and the Sovereign Order of Malta. In the presence of representatives from Vatican, members of the Diplomatic corps and other guests, the meeting was opened by Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute prof. D. Nazar.

Coordinator of the Project prof. S. Ferrari from the University of Milan pointed the importance of sacred places protection, while Special Envoy for Religious Freedom and Religious Dialogue at the MFA of Italy A. Benzo explained the definitions of sacred (holy) places that he was working on. Ambassador of the Sovereign order of Malta to the Holy See recollected his memories on massive destruction of Serbian Orthodox sacred sites at Kosovo and Metohia during the Pogrom of March 2004 when he was Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the Republic of Serbia. Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See S. Avramović enlightened reasons why the Serbian Orthodox sanctuaries at Kosovo and Metohia were selected within the Project alongside with Vatican, Jerusalem, Mt. Athos and Orthodox sacred places in Cyprus.

On December 1, 2022 Ambassador Sima Avramović attended in the liturgical celebration of the 25th anniversary of the episcopal ordination of His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri and of the conclusion of his service as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches.

His Eminence Bishop of Austria-Switzerland Mr.Andrej, Bishop and Italian-Maltese, served the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy at the Church in Rome on November 20, 2022, attended by Srđan Miljković, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

The Apostolic Nunciature in Belgrade announced on 5 November 2022 that Pope Francis appointed Mons. Ladislav Nemet, the former Bishop of Zrenjanin and the president of the International Episcopal Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius, as the new Archbishop of Belgrade and Metropolitan of the Belgrade Archdiocese.

Until the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Belgrade which should take place in December 2022, Mons. Nemet will continue to manage Diocese of Zrenjanin as an Apostolic administrator. In the same time previous archbishop and metropolitan of the Belgrade Archdiocese Mons. Stanislav Hocevar will handle the Belgrade Archdiocese as an Apostolic administrator.

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC), His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, together with three distinguished members of the SOC Holy Synod of Bishops, received on Friday, October 28, 2022 at the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade H. E. Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Cardinal Koch was accompanied by the Metropolitan of Belgrade Mons. Stanislav Hočevar and three high representatives of the Holy See. 

Mr. President,
Madam Special Representative,
Ladies and gentleman,

It gives me honor to address this distinguished body once again and to discuss the latest report of the Secretary-General on the work of the UNMIK.

I would like to thank the Secretary-General and the Special Representative for submitting the report. We take note of the efforts that Ms. Ziadeh makes in performing this very responsible duty, especially bearing in mind the necessity of a comprehensive overview and the complexity of the situation on the ground.

I also take this opportunity to underline that the Republic of Serbia highly values the activities of UNMIK in Kosovo and Metohija, established under UN Security Council Resolution 1244. We advocate for its continued operation in an unchanged and undiminished scope and capacity, especially bearing in mind that the Mission has not yet achieved the main goal of its mandate - a peaceful and normal life for all citizens of our southern province.

On October 11, 2022 nearly all ambassadors accredited to the Holly See joined a solemn ceremony at the Capella Papale inside St. Peter’s Basilica celebrating 60th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, promoting the process of aggiornamento and modernization of the Catholic Church

The Council promoted more important role of laics in the Church activities including their active participation in Mass, ecumenical approach to protestant and orthodox faiths, interreligious dialogue with other religions, etc. Many goals, priorities and actual endeavours performed by Pope Francis are in line with the principles promoted 60 years ago.

At the end of the celebration participants were lighting a candle recalling the day when Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council in 1962 which lasted three years. 

The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Order of Malta rejoices the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and National Flag. Serbian flags have been displayed as a symbol of national pride and unity of Serbian people living all around the world.

The Vatican Official gazette Bulletino pronounced on September 12, 2022 that the Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Santo Rocco Gangemi as the new Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic of Serbia.

A few days before, on September 7 to 10, the Vatican hosted the triennial meeting of Pontifical Representatives. In the evening of the first day a reception was organized in the Vatican Gardens for Vatican authorities, apostolic nuncios, and ambassadors accredited to the Holy See.

Amb. Avramovic took the opportunity to get in touch with the new Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic of Serbia Mons. Santo Gangemi, previously the representative of Vatican in El Salvador. Thanks to H.E. Manuel Lopes, Ambassador of El Salvador to the Holly See, Ambassador Avramovic and Mons. Gangemi made a contact and had a very fruitful and promising conversation. They were looking forward to a successful cooperation as soon as Mons. Gangemi takes his new post in Belgrade.

On September 8, 2022 amb. Sima Avramovic participated at the first meeting of the newly appointed provisional Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta Ricacardo Paterno de Montecupo with the diplomatic corps accredited to the order of Malta. The main topic of the useful conversation was the new Constitution of the Order of Malta promulgated by Pope Francis on September 3, 2022  and appointment of a provisional Sovereign Council of the Order.

Pope Francis created 20 new  cardinals from five continents at the Ordinary Public Consistory during the ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica on August 27, 2022. The total number of cardinals is now 226, while only 132 of them participate in the electoral Papal Conclave due to the age limit. Nearly all members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See took part in that important event, including ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Sima Avramovic (photo S.A.)

Europa Nostra delegation revisited Serbian monastery Dečani in July 2022 after objections from Pristina considering enlistment of Dečani as one of 7 most endangered monuments in Europe in 2021.  Europa Nostra experts asserted that the main reasons to enlist monastery Visoki Dečani as one of the most vulnerable monuments in Europe are still existing. After a series of talks with political, religious, and international representatives, Europa Nostra team assesses that due to „complex security challenges” the monastery needs to remain guarded 24/7 by the international KFOR troops.

Monastery Visoki Dečani is enlisted in UNESCO’s World Heritage List along with three other Serbian Orthodox holy sites at Kosovo and Metohia: Patriarchate of Peć Monastery, Gračanica Monastery and Church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevisa.

On July 4th, 2022 Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holly See and to the Sovereign Order of Malta H. E. Sima Avramović visited Fr. David Nazar, Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome.

On that occasion he delivered him three publications with the general title Byzantine Heritage and Serbian Аrt issued by the Institute for Byzantine Studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts as a present to the Library of that university institution.

In a friendly and fruitful conversation it is stressed that a number of different activities of the Pontifical Oriental Institute and the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Holly See should be planned.

The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luciano Suriani, paid a farewell visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selaković.

After expressing satisfaction with the very good and stable relations between Serbia and the Holy See, Selaković pointed out that our country was clearly determined to cherish and improve such relations, putting a special emphasis on maintaining regular political dialogue at all levels.

On June 7, 2022 the Sovereign Military Order of Malta reported that the Lieutenant of the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra' Marco Luzzago, has died unexpectedly after a sudden illness. Amb. Avramovic delivered to Fra’ Marco Luzago the Credential Letters at the ceremony in Villa Magistrale only a few months ago, on January 19, 2022.

The solemn funeral of Fra’ Marco Luzzago, was held on June 14, 2022 in the Basilica of Santi Bonifacio e Alessio at the Aventine in Rome, beside Vila Magistrale.

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. 

Тhe new Apostolic Constitution entitled Praedicate evangelium was publicly discussed for the first time at the Pontifical Lateran University. It replaced the previous Vatican Constitution of 1988 entitled Bonus pater which was issued by Pope John Paul II.

The procedure of the new constitution enactment was initiated in 2013 just before election of Pope Francis. The new Constitution of Vatican was promulgated by the Holy Father Francis on March 19, and will enter into force on June 5, 2022.

The first time after two years marked by Covid-19 pandemic, the Easter was celebrated in Vatican in the presence of a great number of believers arriving worldwide. Good Friday and Holly Saturday were celebrated through the holly masses in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter. The altar was traditionally, as for decades, decorated with flowers from the Netherlands.

The Pope gave his traditional speech Urbi et orbi (“to the city and to the world”) from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. In the presences of estimated more than 60.000 people the Pope gave his benediction and called for piece worldwide in his homily. (photo S.A)

On March 21, 2022 the new Apostolic Constitution named Praedicate Evangelium was presented at the Holy See Press Office by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Bishop Marco Mellino, Secretary of the Council of Cardinals, and Professor Gianfranco Ghirlanda, SJ, Professor Emeritus at the Pontifical Gregorian University’s Faculty of Canon Law.

Two days before, on Saturday, March 19, on the day of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Francis proclaimed officially the text of the Apostolic Constitution. The new Apostolic Constitution will enter into force on June 5, 2022.

The new Constitution of Vatican appears after many years of preparations and wide discussions, as the drafting process had started during the first months of Pope Francis’ pontificate. The Constitution consists of 250 articles being more comprehensive than the previous Costituzione apostolica issued by Pope John Paul II which encompassed 193 articles. The new Apostolic Constitution significantly transforms organization of the Vatican state and regulates innovatively a number of issues considering the Curia functioning. It is apparent that the novelties introduced by the new Apostolic Constitution will be a topic of forthcoming discussions.

On March 14, 2022 ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, dr Sima Avramovic, visited in Palazzo Magistrale ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to the Holy See, H.E. Antonio Zanardi Landi. Ambassador  Zanardi Landi is a renowned Italian diplomat who served, among other duties, as ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Serbia (2004-2007), to the Holy See (2007-2010) and to Russia (2010-2013).

In a very open and friendly conversation the two ambassadors expressed contentment with the actual level of mutual relationships and agreed upon different forthcoming common activities.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković extended his congratulations to the citizens of Serbia on the occasion of the Statehood Day of Serbia. A video can be viewed here.

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.

On January 19th, 2022, newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia  to the Sovereign Order of Malta H.E. Sima Avramović delivered the Credential Letters to Lieutenant of the Grand Master H.E. Fra' Marco Luzzago at the ceremony in Villa Magistrale in Rome. During the cordial, open and friendly talks both sides expressed a mutual interest and readiness for fostering further cooperation between Republic of Serbia and the Sovereign Order of Malta. After the audience to H.E. Fra' Marco Luzzago, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia H.E. Sima Avramović had a short, but useful conversation with the Grand Chancellor H.E. Albrecht von Boeselager. 

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said today during the talks with the President of the Pontifical Academy for Life and Grand Chancellor of the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences, Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, that the relations between Serbia and the Holy See are without open issues, stable and characterised by mutual respect and consideration.

Brnabic expressed special gratitude to the Holy See for the support to stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans and for its interest in the current state of affairs in the region.

The Prime Minister underlined that one of Serbia’s main priorities is a stable and well-connected region, which will offer a better standing of living and prospects to its citizens.

His Eminence Bishop of Austria-Switzerland Mr. Andrej visited the Parish of St. Sava in Rome from December 3 to 5, 2021. After Holy Hierarchical Liturgy, held on December 5, H.E. Bishop Mr. Andrej talked with H.E. Sima Avramović, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See and to the S.M.O.M. and Srđan Miljković, Deputy Chief of Serbian diplomatic mission to the Holy See and to the S.M.O.M. Special attention in the conversations was paid to the need to find a place of worship in Rome in which holy liturgies for the believers of the Serbian Orthodox Church would be held.

His Holiness Porfirije, the Serbian Patriarch, met with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Holy See Secretary for Relations with States, at the Holy Archangels Monastery in Kovilj, on 23 November 2021. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia met today with the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

At a press conference after the meeting, Selaković said that relations between Serbia and the Holy See are stable, good and constructive, emphasizing that Serbia is determined to continue nurturing and improving overall relations with the Holy See in the spirit of dialogue and understanding.

The minister said that the visit of Archbishop Gallagher, realized only a month after his visit to the Holy See, was an excellent opportunity for further cooperation.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic talked today with Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher about bilateral relations, European integration of Serbia, and cooperation in the region.

Brnabic pointed out that Serbia is committed to improving relations with the Holy See, recalling that the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations was marked last year.

Serbia highly respects the interest and support of the Holy See in the region of the Western Balkans, she said and added that it is of key interest to achieve the most intensive cooperation in all areas.

The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, received today the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, and on that occasion, said that the relations between Serbia and the Holy See are based on true mutual respect and trust, and that our country is determined to improve them in the long run.  

President Vučić expressed his gratitude to the Holy See for the importance it attaches to relations with Serbia, as well as for respecting the territorial integrity of Serbia through the principled position on non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated today that severe examples of endangering the Serbian cultural, historical and spiritual heritage in Kosovo and Metohija are proof of the important role of UNESCO in protecting and preserving heritage.

At the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, Brnabic emphasized that four jewels of the Serbian medieval cultural heritage in Kosovo – Visoki Decani, Pec Patriarchate, Gracanica and Bogorodica Ljeviska, have been preserved thanks to the fact that they are inscribed on the endangered world heritage list. Hundreds of other sites and monuments are endangered.

"Your Excellences,

distinguished delegates,
dear Sarah,

At the very beginning, I feel obliged to thank Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Her Majesty’s Government for exceptional hospitality.

I feel privileged to represent the Republic of Serbia at this important place and at the highest-level world forum, in working on the most important topic of today – promoting climate awareness.

We all agree that we must make investment into climate and environment.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Selaković, opened the exhibition "Serbia and the Vatican 1878-1914" tonight at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.

Selaković said that the exhibition testifies to the rich hundred-year history of diplomatic relations between Serbia and the Holy See, emphasizing that the foundations of our relations are strong, deep and based on common values and interests.

Addressing the audience, the minister said that since the beginning of its modern statehood, Serbia has sought to establish effective communication with the Holy See in order to resolve the issue of relations between Christians in this part of the world in a peaceful and contemporary manner, in accordance with advanced Serbian constitutional solutions from the 19th century.

"I remind you that since the Sretenje Constitution, the citizens of Serbia of the Roman Catholic faith have enjoyed full religious rights and freedoms", said the minister, adding that the Serbian people have shared living space with other peoples and denominations for centuries, as well as that this area was many times the scene of conflicts that often had a religious dimension.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Selaković, paid an official visit to the Vatican, where he had separate talks with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Peter Parolin, and the Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher.

Minister Selaković emphasized that the conclusion after the meetings is that the cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and the Holy See should be intensified.

During his stay in Rome, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Selaković, met with the Grand Chancellor and Minister of Foreign and Internal Affairs of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, and said that relations with that order are very important for Serbia.

Minister Selaković, the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia to pay an official visit to the Sovereign Order of Malta, said after the meeting that the importance of our relations may not have been properly recognized so far.

Distinguished President of the Security Council,

Esteemed members of the Security Council,

Distinguished Special Representative,
I would like to thank Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. Guterres and Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK Mr. Tanin for the report submitted and for their efforts made towards the implementation of the UNMIK mandate. I would also like to thank the members of the Security Council for the continued attention they have devoted to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. The Republic of Serbia highly values the activities of the Mission of the United Nations in Kosovo and Metohija and supports it in carrying out its work as efficiently as possible, pursuant to the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and undiminished in scope, aiming to build and preserve lasting peace, stability and security in the Province.

On October 7, 2021 the Exhibition “Serbia and Vatican 1878-1914” was opened in the State Archive of Serbia to mark one hundred years of establishing diplomatic relations and opening diplomatic missions between Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and the Holy See in 1920.

Most of the presented documents were not previously known to a wider public. They reveal a long pre-history of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Vatican starting with 1878, when Kingdom of Serbia was internationally recognized as an independent state at the Congress of Berlin, until the beginning of the World War I, when the two sides had adopted the Concordat text in June 1914. On August 8, 1914 the National Assembly of Serbia ratified the Concordat with the Holy See in the central Serbian city of Nis where the Assembly was displaced due to the war conditions.

The speakers at the opening ceremony were Dejan Savić, Councelour for culture of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Ambasador Vladimir Marić, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia representing Serbian Forfeign Minister Nikola Selaković, H.E. dr Sima Avramović, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See, Mons. Simon-Peter Lukyamuzi, the First Secretary of the Nunciature of the Holy See in Serbia, and dr Miroslav Perišić, Director of the State Archive of Serbia.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, has stated that in New York he introduced foreign ministers of 28 countries to economic success of Serbia but also to the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, which he also discussed with the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, who told him that we could count on the support of the Russian Federation, with regards to Serbian interests in K&M.

Summarizing results of his visit to New York within the session of the UN General Assembly, Minister Selaković says that one of the last meetings was with Minister Lavrov, which was their third meeting in the previous nine months.

The Serbian Foreign Minister says that he surely used this opportunity, too, to introduce Minister Lavrov to the latest events in northern Kosovo and Metohija, the situation of the dialog between Belgrade and Priština and very clear and unambiguous attitude of President Aleksandar Vučić regarding the continuation of the dialog and subsequent events in K&M.

The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, has discussed today by phone with the General Secretary of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg about, as the General Secretary said, worrisome situation in northern Kosovo and Metohija.

President Vučić said that Serbia had not violated either Brussels Agreement or Resolution 1244 by anything, by any single move or in any manner jeopardized peace preservation.

“The complete occupation by armored vehicles of northern Kosovo and Metohija has lasted for seven days and it is conducted by Priština and everyone in the international community “are thunderously silent”, said Serbian President. “However, everyone is worried all of a sudden when they spot Serbian helicopters and airplanes at the territory of central Serbia, because apparently they should not exist, or should not take off until they receive the approval from Kurti or someone from the international community”, says President Vučić.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic warned today that Pristina has seriously jeopardised local and regional stability after sending heavily armed special units to the north of Kosovo who are exerting ` against the peaceful Serbian population.

Brnabic spoke at the general debate of world leaders, as part of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

We bring the Prime Minister's speech in its entirety:

Mr. President,

Mr. Secretary General,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have the great honor to address you today on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic participated today at the Global COVID-19 summit, organised by the White House, which was opened by US President Joseph Biden.

The video messages are attended by a large number of world leaders and officials of international organizations, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British and Canadian Prime Ministers, Boris Johnson and Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and many others.

In the message, the Prime Minister pointed out that Serbia was among the first European countries to procure a covid vaccine, and that she was the first European Prime Minister to receive the vaccine.

On 15 september, 2021, the Embassy proudly celebrated the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and National Flag. Serbian flags have been raised as a symbol of national pride and unity of Serbian people living all around the world. 

On September 9, 2021, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Sima Avramović met with the Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, Mr Vincenzo Buonomo. In a cordial talks, both sides emphasized the importance of establishing and development of academic cooperation between the University of Belgrade and the Pontifical Lateran University (Pontificia Università Lateranense).

The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, attended the marking of the Remembrance Day of all the victims and expelled Serbs in the armed operation "Storm" and said that Serbia remembers!

"Today, when we remind ourselves again of what happened in August 1995, the terrible pogrom, the expulsion of more than 250,000 Serbs, the exodus and ethnic cleansing, we, at the same time, and finally, remind ourselves of who we are, what we are, where we come from and where we are going. Thank you all for being here together tonight and for showing how much we love our people", said President Vučić, adding that we will not forget any of the things that the Krajina people had to go through.

"For us, these are not just terrible numbers of victims", said President Vučić and emphasized that Serbia will not forget.

"History has never been rewritten like today. That is why I want to remind us all not only of what others have done to us, not wanting us to exist, but also of what we have done to ourselves, just as if we ourselves did not want to exist", said the President, noting that we must never again allow Serbia to forget its silent heroes.

We have decided – our goal was and remains the EU, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said in an interview with the German daily "Handelsblatt", adding that there is no alternative for Serbia, but also stressing that China is an important partner for Serbia, and that the task of the state is to take care about the interests of its citizens.

He thus answered the question of what Serbia will choose once it has to choose between close relations with Beijing or the EU. Vučić emphasized that Serbia wants to become a full member of the EU.

"We are connected by history, common culture, EU members are already undoubtedly our most important partners", he explained and added that the trade exchange between Germany and China is 3,000 times higher than between Serbia and China, and, as he noted, even despite that, Serbia's business operations with China are portrayed as a problem.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, stated at a gathering dedicated to digitalization and the IT sector, which was held in New York, that since she became Prime Minister, she is most proud of Serbia's success in the field of digitalization.

Brnabić, who is on a two-day visit to the United States, said that when she was elected Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government in August 2016, she wanted to do everything to change the public administration and what bothered her as a citizen.

She stated that, when she took office as Prime Minister, she knew what her priorities were and that first of all, digitalization needed to be raised to a higher level, that the education reform was supposed to begin, as well as work on strengthening the economy.

On June 28, 2021, on Saint Vitus Day, in the monastery of Gracanica, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch, said that every time he comes to Kosovo and Metohija, he has a feeling that he has returned to his home, and that every absence from Kosovo is separation from God and brothers.

"Every time we come to this land, we deeply know that we have returned to our homeland. This holy Gracanica testifies to that, Decani, the Pec Patriarchate and the Mother of God of Ljevis testify. So many shrines testify that this is our home. We also see the Albanian brothers as our brothers. I am sure that we can not only understand each other but also live together, grow and build. "Let us not be taught peace and community by those who sow discord among people, and have only some foreign distant earthly interests," the Patriarch said during the Hierarchal Liturgy served on the occasion of Saint Vitus Day.

In a very substantial conversation during the meeting, H.E. Ambassador Sima Avramović with H.E. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, opened the opportunities for the development of various forms of bilateral cultural cooperation, especially in the fields of science, education, art and sports.

Cardinal G. Ravasi pointed out the importance of ethical issues, particularly those related to social life and social justice. In addition, the President of the Pontifical Council for Culture expressed readiness to promote Serbian culture.

Dear Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, members of the delegations

I would point to a few ongoing issues in my speech that refer to the competences of the Mechanism, namely, the possibility of serving the sentences passed by the ICTY and Mechanism in the Republic of Serbia, with the current practice of disabling early release of the sentenced persons as well as obligation of the Mechanism regarding protection of sentenced persons.

The second part of the speech will be dedicated to issues that are opened by the six –month Report on the work of the Mechanism by Mechanism President Mr. Agius and Report by the Chief Prosecutor Mr. Serge Brammertz, especially regarding current cooperation of the Republic of Serbia and the Mechanism.

The third part of my speech, and I noticed that in many of your statements even today, is going to be the view of Serbia on everything that took place in The Hague Tribunal and what the Tribunal verdicts brought to people in the region of former Yugoslavia.

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See H.E. Dr Sima Avramović made courtesy visit to His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, on June 2nd, 2021. In cordial talks different topics of the common interest have been discussed.

New Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See H.E. Dr. Sima Avramović delivered the credential letters to His Holiness Pope Francis on May 24th, 2021. During the cordial, open and friendly meeting topics of common interest have been thoroughly discussed. Both sides highly agreed on all key issues and expressed a mutual interest for fostering further cooperation. After the audience to His Holiness, Ambassador H.E. Dr Sima Avramović met Holy See Secretary of State H. E. Cardinal Pietro Parolin and had a profound talks on bilateral and regional issues.

H. E. Ambassador Dr. Sima Avramovic met H.E. Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, on May 14th, 2021. The key bilateral and regional issues were covered at a cordial and substantive meeting. Both sides expressed readiness to improve cooperation between Holy See and Republic of Serbia.

At the cordial meeting, held on 10th May, 2021,  H. E. Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See Prof. Dr. Sima Avramovic delivered the copies of the credential letters to mons. Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See.

On 8th May, 2021, the new Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See H. E.  Prof. Dr. Sima Avramovic had a courtesy meeting with mons. Joseph Murphy, Head of the Protocol at the Holy See's Secretariat of State.

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić talked today via a video link with the representatives of the delegation of the International Monetary Fund led by the Head of the Mission, Jan Kees Martijn. The interlocutors concluded that Serbia's main goal remains to preserve the hard-earned reputation of a fiscally secure country, as well as to continue with a responsible fiscal policy so that public debt does not exceed 60 per cent of GDP, whereby Serbia continues to work on further economic growth.

During the conversation, President Vučić and Jan Kees Martijn especially referred to the incentive measures and adopted three packages of measures to help the economy and citizens, which preserved macroeconomic stability and even achieved a higher employment rate. Martijn commended the responsible economic policy of Serbia and the successful crisis management during the pandemic.
 

On April 20, 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, attended the final meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Prof. Dr Sima Avramović, who is leaving for the post of the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See. 

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić met today with the Regional Director of the World Health Organisation for Europe Hans Kluge, to discuss cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as cooperation in improving health care in our country and other joint activities.

President Vučić thanked Dr Kluge for his personal engagement and support during the current pandemic, especially for technical assistance and expertise. On this occasion, he informed the WHO official about the results of immunisation in Serbia and plans on how to provide the vaccine to all citizens who want to get it.

Europa Nostra – the European voice of civil society committed to cultural and natural heritage – and its partner organisation, the European Investment Bank Institute, have announced 7 the most threatened heritage sites in Europe in 2021 on April 8.

The selection was made on the basis of the outstanding heritage significance and cultural value of each of the sites as well as on the basis of the serious danger that they are facing. The level of engagement of local communities and the commitment of public and private stakeholders to saving these sites were considered as crucial added values. Another selection criterion was the potential of these sites to act as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development for their localities and wider regions.

The integral text of Europa Nostra on the endangerment of the monastery of Visoki Decani with a video is following:

Dečani Monastery, KOSOVO*

April 08, 2021 | Selected 2021 | Kosovo*

Built in the first half of the 14th century, this Serbian Orthodox Church Monastery, with harmoniously combined elements of Eastern and Western artistic expressions, its encyclopedic ensemble of frescoes in Serb-Byzantine style, and its Romanesque-Gothic architecture and sculptural decoration, is among the most distinguished heritage ensembles of its time. The monastic complex is surrounded by a dense forest that forms part of an unspoiled cultural landscape which is inseparable from its priceless cultural heritage. Continuously inhabited for almost seven centuries, the Dečani Monastery is a functioning monastery with daily liturgical services and an active monastic community that takes care of the daily maintenance of the monastery and its surroundings and safeguards the intangible heritage of monastic life. Besides being an important place of worship, it is a place open to pilgrims as well as visitors of all faiths.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9wh75koPBg

An article under a headline: ”At Kosovo Monastery, Nationalist Clamor Disturbs the Peace”, published by “The New York Times” in mid of March 2021, is following:

At Kosovo Monastery, Nationalist Clamor Disturbs the Peace

The monastery’s Serbian Orthodox abbot says he is subject to “rabid nationalism” from all sides. His biggest headache: a land dispute with ethnic Albanians, whom he protected during the war in the 1990s.

By Andrew Higgins

Published March 13, 2021Updated March 16, 2021

DECAN, Kosovo — Inside the walls of Father Sava Janjic’s 14th-century monastery reign silence and calm, interrupted by the occasional soft footfall of the few monks remaining in this revered outpost of the Serbian Orthodox Church in a hostile western Kosovo.

But outside the Visoki Decani Monastery, which is still protected by NATO troops more than two decades after war in the Balkans ended, is the persistent clamor of what Father Sava calls a “rabid nationalism” directed at him from all sides.

“This might be a sign that I am not wrong, that I am not on the bad side,” said the 56-year-old abbot, dressed in a long black cassock, standing near the altar of his monastery’s medieval stone church. “I’m now attacked by extremists on all sides.”

Belgrade Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar visited the State Archives of Serbia on April 15, 2021. The reason for the visit was the upcoming celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and the Holy See.

During the visit, Belgrade Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar talked to director of the State Archives of Serbia, Dr. Miroslav Perišić, about the importance of the archives as institutions and archival documents. as well as on the possibilities of cooperation. 

Prof. Dr. Sima Avramović, newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See, Jelica Reljić, Assistant Director of the Archives for basic activities, Miloš Vulić, PhD student at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and Velimir Martinović, associate of the Archdiocese of Belgrade also took part in the talks.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic talked today with World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge about the epidemiological situation and the course of immunisation of citizens in Serbia.

Brnabic expressed gratitude for the cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, technical assistance and expertise, emphasising that the support of this organisation is very important for our country.

She informed the WHO Regional Director for Europe about the course of immunisation of citizens in Serbia, expressing her belief that, thanks to the large number of vaccinated people, we will be able to create collective immunity and return to normal life.

Kluge assessed the immunisation process in Serbia as impressive, and added that Serbia has made a good decision to offer citizens all available vaccines used in the fight against coronavirus.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nikola Selakovic stated today that Pristina further persisted in its campaign of hatred against the Serbian people, which was most drastically seen in the unfounded accusations of mass rapes and genocide.

At the UN Security Council meeting discussing the Report of the UN Secretary-General on the work of UNMIK, Selakovic emphasized that the efforts of the provisional institutions in Kosovo and Metohija to create a narrative about mass rapes of Albanian women were obvious, and that propaganda methods and lies were used for that purpose.

"It is clear that there were victims on all sides in the conflict, as well as that our side has evidence of numerous Serb victims. But the precondition for ensuring the protection of rights that belong to each individual victim is a rational and well-argued approach", Selakovic said responding to the slander of the Pristina representative.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nikola Selakovic warned, at the United Nations Security Council meeting, that the political extremism among Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija was not decreasing, but on the contrary, was becoming stronger.

At the meeting discussing the Report of the UN Secretary-General on the work of UNMIK, Minister Selakovic recalled that the obligation to form the Community of Serb Municipalities  remained unfulfilled for 2,917 days now and that, in fact, 19 April marked eight full years since the agreement was reached in Brussels, while Pristina still refused to follow up on its commitment and enable the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. 

The Minister reminded that the current Prime Minister of the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina repeatedly threatened to unite the self-proclaimed Kosovo and Albania, and that he also stated that the dialogue with Belgrade was low on the list of his priorities.

Serbian Patriarch His Holiness Porfirije received Dr. Sima Avramovic, newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See at the Patriarchal court in Belgrade, on April 2, 2021.

http://www.spc.rs/eng/serbian_patriarch_receives_serbian_ambassador_vatican

The Archbishop of Belgrade, Monsignor Stanislav Hočevar, received the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See, Dr. Sima Avramović, in the Ordinariate of the Belgrade Archdiocese on March 1, 2021.

"Your Holiness, distinguished Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, distinguished Speakers of the National Assemblies of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, distinguished Prime Ministers of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, distinguished Ministers of both Governments, dear guests and friends, representatives of the Serbian People from Montenegro, North Macedonia, Croatia, thank you for the fact that we are all together tonight and that the Serbian spirit is unbreakable and invincible.

One child a day and a little more than that. That is the most difficult, sickening and painful number of the NATO aggression from 1999. Killed, stopped, guilty of nothing, having committed no sin, without the right to defence, without the right to justice and without the right to life.

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic participated today in the commemoration of the Remembrance Day of 17 March 2004 - Pogrom in Kosovo and Metohija. He said that exactly 17 years ago, a pogrom took place in Kosovo and Metohija, and that pogrom surpassed all other crimes.

"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest, these words of Elie Wiesel, a camp survivor and Nobel laureate, make it forever incumbent upon us not to remain silent against crime, regardless of who and for what reason committed it", President Vucic stated and added that we remembered and learned every lesson in which we were losers, each one in which we were silent to our own victims, and each one when we were ready to forget.

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 près le Saint-Siège vous invite à découvrir la diversité et la richesse de la culture serbe en français.

Cliquez sur l'image ci-dessus.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nikola Selakovic said today that the fight against all forms of crime was a top priority of the Serbian Government and an integral part of the EU accession process.

"It is also our moral duty, in order to leave a better world for the generations to come", Selakovic said participating via video-link at the 14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Kyoto.    

The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church elected His Eminence Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb-Ljubljana, PhD, as the new Serbian Patriarch, in its convocation in Memorial Cathedral of Saint Sava in Belgrade on 18 February 2021.

15 February 2021

On the occasion of the Statehood Day of Serbia, February 15, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia published a video message you can watch on the following link:

President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Army Aleksandar Vucic attended a demonstration of capabilities of one part of Serbian Army units in the "Rastko Nemanjić" barracks in Pancevo. On this occasion, President Vucic stated that Serbia was ready to continue the EU-facilitated dialogue with Pristina at any point, while respecting also the position of the United States as well as the positions of Russia and China.   

The President said that he would rather put his "head on the chopping block" than sign any document with a recognition and reminded that he had already once refused to do so in Washington, where there were two versions of the agreement.

Serbia's foreign policy positions are naturally being adjusted to the new developments at the international level, but our foreign policy priorities have not changed in a long time. Our top and most important interest is to preserve good-neighbourly relations and stability and peace in the region and, in the same context, to find a peaceful and just solution to the problems in Kosovo and Metohija, Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said in an interview with Politika daily.

Another lasting interest of ours is full membership of the European Union, because this is the type of society we strive for. At the bilateral level, our goal is to strengthen ties with traditional friends, the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, but also to build new partner relations with the United States. One of the most important tasks of our foreign policy is to improve the position and protect the rights and identity of our people in the region, as well as to provide various types of support to Serbs in the diaspora. All these are very important and more often than not complementary goals, Nikola Selakovic pointed out.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic pointed out that Serbia is the first in Europe in terms of economic growth, which will be officially confirmed at the end of March, and that this was possible owing to the reform measures taken since 2014 and the rapid opening of the country after the first wave of corona virus.

The President pointed out that Serbia had a growth of 5.2 percent in the first quarter, while the Eurozone was at minus 3.2 percent, in the second quarter Serbia was at minus 6.3 percent, while the Eurozone was at minus 14.7 percent, and in the third quarter, when the Eurozone was at minus 4.3 percent, Serbia's figure was only minus 1.4 percent.
Vucic stated that Montenegro, for example, recorded as much as 26 percent minus in the third quarter.

Our compatriots living abroad are one of the great potentials that the state has not recognized in the right way so far, which is why a different approach is needed to the issue of how to strengthen our diaspora and use the good will of people who are potential lobbyists for the interests of Serbia and the Serbian people, Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said.

This year, Serbia could finally have Ambassadors and Consuls General appointed to about a third of the currently vacant positions in the country's diplomatic and consular missions in the world, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selakovic is convinced that most of these positions will be filled, as he points out, by the best possible people.

"In the next year, I am convinced that the majority of these vacancies will be filled", Selakovic told Tanjug, emphasizing that the work is being done gradually, because the state wants to show that is has a quality staff who will represent Serbia's interests in the best possible way.

Preservation of peace, taking care of the health and better living standard are key for Serbia in 2021, underlined President of the Republic Aleksandar Vucic, convinced that even though the completion of this ambitious and by no means easy task will be anything but straightforward, best results can be achieved by working in concert with the Government, while ensuring security and a future of certainty for the citizens.

The President said that Serbia has set for itself great and ambitious goals for the next year, notwithstanding the complex international and regional circumstances, and that it will endeavour to fully preserve peace and stability in the region and the country, while safeguarding the vital national and state interests.
 

Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic received today the first vaccine against the coronavirus made by Pfizer company, at the Torlak Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera.

Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has held a video meeting today with Michael Roth, the Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office. They have discussed the current epidemiological situation in the two countries and the EU, as well as Serbia’s European integration process.

Belgrade, December 10, 2020

On the occasion of 10 December, the international Human Rights Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia reaffirms its commitment to the principles and values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on this day in 1948.

Belgrade, December 8, 2020

The President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić met today the ambassadors of EU Member States accredited to Serbia and the Head of the EU Delegation Sem Fabrizi in the Palace of Serbia, to talk to them about topics such as dynamics of the accession negotiations between Serbia and EU, stability in the region, regional projects, as well as the Economic and Investment Plan presented by the European Commission together with the Enlargement package.

Following the passing away of His Holiness the Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci and Serbian Patriarch Irinej, a Book of Condolences has been opened by the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Rome.

Due to the current epidemiological situation, please submit statements of condolence through e-mail address:  holysee.embassy@mfa.rs

His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia passed away. Church bells tolled in Belgrade and many people flocked to the capital`s main Saint Sava cathedral to mark his death at the age of 90, a decade after becoming Patriarch.

Official web site: http://www.spc.rs

13.02.2020. - On February 13, the Embassy organized a reception on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Serbia, and marking 100 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Holy See, ie. of the opening of the Apostolic Nunciature in Belgrade. The reception was attended by the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who addressed the audience.

Ambassador Dejan Šahović said that at present, and in recent years for that matter, communication and interaction between Serbia and Holy See has been constructive, characterized by common understanding on many issues of mutual interest. In the last two years a number of high-level meetings took place. These high-level discussions demonstrated that we share views on how some of the outstanding internatinal problems should be dealt with.

In the regional context of the Balkans, we both recognize hat dialog and reconciliation are key words. Serbia highly appreciates that the Holy See has been a consistent promoter of such an approach in contacts with all regional partners. Especially important is the fact that the Holy See maintained this approach vis-à-vis the dialog between Belgrade and Priština and the status of Kosovo and Metohija. We are grateful for that. Equally, we highly value the Holy See`s continuous and strong advocacy for a more rapid integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union, since membership in the EU is priority objective of Serbia.

Serbia's population is predominantly Christian Orhodox. Nevertheless, a sizeble Catholic community lives in Serbia as well, which is an important part of society. He also underlined that relations between the Government and the Catholic Church in Serbia were also very positive and developing further in the same direction.

In his address, The Secretary of  State of the Holy See spoke about the most important moments in the diplomatic relations of the two countries. At the end of the presentation he emphasized that bilateral relations of Serbia and the Holy See are strengtening, due to regular political dialogue at the highest and high levels. The Secretary of State of the Holy See indicated that Serbia and the Holy See have good international cooperation, as they share universal values such as peace, security, human rights and enviromental protection.

12.09.2019.

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić met today in the Vatican with His Holiness Pope Francis with whom he discussed bilateral relations, Euro-integrations of Serbia, regional and international cooperation.

Photo Presidency/ Dimitrije Goll

President Vučić emphasised that the cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Roman Catholic Church is very good and that it remains at a very constructive level, accompanied by mutual esteem. He said that Serbia is determined to continuously nurture and enhance the relations with the Holy See and added that next year we will mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations.

During the meeting, President Vučić pointed out that the relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Holy See are marked by the congruence of standpoints in important international issues. Above all, those issues are related to the protection of Christians and the Christian heritage and the improvement of their human rights. With that respect, President Vučić indicated the outstanding importance of the protection, respect and improvement of the rights of the Serbian and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo and Metohija, the protection and renewal of the Serbian religious and cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija, and in particular of the Orthodox churches and monasteries under the UNESCO protection.

Photo Presidency/ Dimitrije Goll

„We highly appreciate the principled position of the Holy See regarding the non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo as well as the understanding for the position of Serbia which is based on the respect of the international law", emphasised President Vučić and thanked for the constructive approach of the Holy See with that respect. „Serbia remains firmly convinced that the talks represent the only way for the solution to all the open questions and that is why - even after the introduction of taxes - we sustained from reciprocal measures and any other moves that would additionally aggravate the existing situation. Our side keeps maintaining the constructive efforts aimed at finding a sustainable and compromise solution for the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, solely through dialogue. However, the Priština side - by undertaking irrational unilateral moves and through continuous provocations - keeps incapacitating any dialogue and agreement", stressed President Vučić.

Photo Presidency/ Dimitrije Goll

During the talks with His Holiness Pope Francis, President Vučić expressed his sincere gratitude to the Holy See and Pope Francis for the support they extend to the European integrations of Serbia. „We particularly appreciate the efforts aimed at acceleration of Euro-integration process of the Western Balkans region into the EU, and the encouragement to the member-states to assist and support this process", said President Vučić and indicated that the EU membership represents one of the foreign policy priorities of Serbia. He added that the recent visits of His Holiness to the Western Balkans exemplify strong political support to the entire region providing a significant contribution to the strengthening of dialogue, the spirit of humanity and solidarity as well as support in the context of strategically important political issues for the whole region.

Photo Presidency/ Dimitrije Goll

President Vučić and His Holiness Pope Francis also tackled the strengthening of cooperation in the fields of culture, historical sciences as well as in the joint projects of the scientific institutes of Serbia and the Holy See.
 

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, the first political consultations were held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the Secretariat for Relations with States of the Holy See.

The consultations were led by Secretary General of the Ministry Veljko Odalovic and Monsignor Antoine Kamilleri, Undersecretary for Relations with Stetes of the Holy See.

During the consultations, it was noted that the bilateral relations  are developing on good and constructive grounds. Both sides expressed their readiness to further strengthen and intensify bilateral dialogue on a range of issues of common interest on the bilateral and international agenda.

Secretary General Veljko Odalovic briefed his interlocutor on the security and political situation in Kosovo and Metohija, the position of the Serb and non-Albanian populations, as well as on the current status of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

In addition to global challenges such as the issue of migrants and refugees, particular attention has been paid to the process of European integration and issues of relevance to the Western Balkans region, in particular the efforts that Serbia and the Holy See are investing in promotion of peace, interethnic tolerance and reconciliation in the region.

20 March 2018 - Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Sovereign Order of Malta, H.E. Dejan Šahović, has presented today his Letters of Credence to the Lieutenant of the Grand Master – Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto.

During the visit to the Holy See First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic also met with Secretary of State of His Holiness the Pope Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

In addition to discussing advancement of bilateral relations and cooperation, they also addressed the issue of Kosovo and Metohija.

Minister Dacic informed Cardinal Parolin about the current status of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina and underlined genuine commitment of the Republic of Serbia to dialogue.

Secretary of State Parolin pointed out that the Holy See was closely following the developments in the Balkans and Belgrade-Pristina negotiations in that context.

The head of Serbian diplomacy once again expressed gratitude to Secretary of State Parolin for the principled position of the Holy See not to recognize the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo.

January 30, 2018 - First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic met in the Vatican with H.E. Arch. Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See.

In the talks, they reaffirmed the importance of bilateral relations and cooperation and expressed readiness to step them up further through exchange of high-level visits and setting up mechanisms for regular political consultations.

Among other things, Arch. Gallagher expressed the interest of the Holy See in working with the Republic of Serbia in the field of protection of Christian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija.

Minister Dacic expressed gratitude to Arch. Gallagher for the Holy See's principled position not to recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and extended an invitation to him to visit Serbia.
 

On Thursday, 19 October 2017, H.E. Mr. Dejan Šahović presented his credential letters to His Holiness Pope Francis as the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See. 

Sabato, 5 agosto 2017, nella Chiesa russa di Santa Caterina a Roma, è stato ricordato il Giorno della memoria dei serbi cacciati e sfollati durate l’operazione “Oluja” (“Tempesta”).

La comunità serba di Roma ha partecipato alla Sacra Liturgia celebrata dall’Arciprete StavroforRaskoRadovic, in seguito alla quale si è tenuta una Cerimonia commemorativa per i serbi cacciati e sfollati nell’operazione “Oluja” e per tutti le vittime innocenti cadute nei conflitti degli anni Novanta.

Alla Liturgia e alla Cerimonia commemorativa erano presenti i rappresentanti della diaspora serba e i membri dell’Associazione – Comunità religiosa “Sveti Sava”, insieme al personale delle Ambasciate della Repubblica di Serbia presso il Quirinale e la Santa Sede.

Ricordiamo che nell’operazione “Oluja” (anno 1995), in un’azione congiunta dell’Esercito croato e della Polizia croata, e sotto gli occhi della Comunità internazionale, più di 220.000 persone sono state mandate via dai loro secolari focolari domestici, ovvero dalle aree in Croazia abitate dall’etnia serba quali Dalmazia settentrionale, Lika, Banija e Kordun , le quali erano sotto la tutela delle Nazioni Unite.

Il Centro documentale e informatico “Veritas”ha redatto una banca dati delle vittime e tra 1.853 nominativi dei serbi caduti e scomparsi i 1.202 risultano civili, vale a dire il 65%. IlSrpskoNarodnoVijece” (“Consiglio popolare serbo”)  ha preparato una presentazione sul web la quale mostra tutti i fatti riguardo alla cacciata dei serbi nel 1995 : http://snv.hr/oluja-u-haagu

Belgrade,  December 8th 2016
Following the invitation of H.E. Zlatibor Lončar, Minister of Health of the Republic of Serbia, to an official visit to Belgrade, the Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, H.E. Prince Dominique de la Rochefocauld-Montbel arrived today at the Capital’s airport, welcomed by the Assistant to the Minister of Health, Dr. Zoran Mihailovic, and by the Ambassador of the Order, Alberto di Luca.

The event is a matter of the utmost importance and significance, since it has been the first official visit to Serbia of a member of the Goverment of the Order, witnessing the advantageous development of relations and bilateral cooperation.

The meeting between the two Ministers has taken place at Palace Serbia, seat of the Government, in a friendly atmosphere, with the reciprocal purpose of studying in deep, various topics of common interest.

In the colloquy, Minister Zlatibor Lončar, expressed to the Grand Hospitaller Dominique de la Rochefoucauld-Montbel the  gratitude of the Government for the various humanitarian, hospital and social activities achieved in recent years in Serbia by the Embassy of the Order of Malta, with particular reference to the successful project “Make a WISH to the Sovereign Order of Malta” – largely resonant with the Country’s media- accomplished in 2015 and 2016, and already planned for 2017, involving hundreds of young men and ladies who saw their desires fulfilled.

Equal appreciation was expressed for the work of the volunteers of the Order, coordinated by the German Malteser International and by the Hungarian Melitense Association in favour of the ill and elderly, and in recent times refugees from the Middle Eastern countries in the proximity of the Hungarian border.

The Grand Hospitaller and the Minister, have further discussed, according to the experience of recent years, the possibility of improvements to the current text of the bilateral Humanitarian Agreement with the purpose of adapting it to the most recent necessities, and making it more effective for their resolution.

A lunch for the delegation of the sovereign Order of Mlata, was given by the State Secretary Vladimir Djukić.

The visit of the Grand Hospitalier was continued to the Palace of Government, with a meeting with H.E. Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy, regarding various issues and projects of social interest that will be undertaken by both parties.

H.E. the Grand Hospitaller, at the conclusion of his working day in Belgrade, reached the seat of the Embassy of the Order where he presided over a meeting with Ambassador di Luca and his staff, and later received the visit of His Holiness’ Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Rev. Mons. Luciano Suriani and the catholic Archbishop of Belgrade H.E. Rev. Mons. Stanislav Hocevar.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic received today a courtesy call from the newly-appointed Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to the Republic of Serbia, Archbishop Luciano Suriani.

Minister Dacic welcomed Nuncio Suriani and expressed satisfaction with good bilateral relations between the two states, as evidenced by the intensified high-level dialogue. The Minister expressed his thanks for the principled position of the Holy See regarding non-recognition of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo and the dedication to the preservation of the Christian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija.

In the talks, both sides noted the interest to further promote their cooperation and stressed the importance of continuing the ecumenical dialogue.
 

25. February 2016.  His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, received His Eminence Archbishop Luciano Suriani, the Apostolic Nuncio to Serbia, at the Serbian Patriarchate on 25 February 2016. His Excellency made his first visit to Serbian Patriarch since his appointment to the diplomatic service in Serbia.

In the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See and Sovereign Order of Malta on 22 and 23 February 2016 a book of the condolences was opened with regard to the tragic death of our colleagues from the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Lybia, Sladjana Stankovic and Jovica Stepic.

Representatives of the State Secretariat of the Holy See and Sovereign Order of Malta, as well as many representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to the Holy See and Sovereign Order of Malta signed the book and expressed their condolences.

L’Ambasciata della Repubblica di Serbia presso la Santa Sede e presso Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta comunica che in seguito alla tragica morte dei due funzionari dell’Ambasciata della Repubblica di Serbia a Tripoli, Sladjana Stankovic e Jovica Stepic, i quali hanno perso la vita il 19 febbraio u.s. nell’attacco aereo americano alla base dei terroristi nella città libica di Sabrata, sarà aperto il libro di condoglianze presso l’Ambasciata lunedì 22 febbraio (dalle ore 14,00 alle ore 16,00) e martedì 23 febbraio (dalle ore 10,00 - 13,00 e 14,00-16,00).

Sladjana Stankovic e Jovica Stepic erano stati sequestrati nel novembre del 2015 in Libia nel corso dell’esercitazione della loro missione diplomatica ed erano tenuti in ostaggio nella base terroristica di Sabrata.

Belgrade 05.02.2016. - Archbishop Luciano Suriani, new Apostolic Nuncio to Serbia, presented his credentials to Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Friday.

Archbishop Suriani told President Nikolic that he was honored to hand over to him the letter of credence by which Pope Francis had authorized him to perform the duties of the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See in Serbia.

The credentials presentation ceremony was attended by Monsignor Janusz Stanislaw Blachowiak, first secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Serbia.

Nikolic wished Archbishop Suriani welcome and a lot of cooperation.

Belgrade, 4 Dec 2015 – Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic met today with Secretary of State of the Holy See for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher about relations between Belgrade and the Vatican, the position of the Catholic community in Serbia, the situation in the region and the migrant crisis.

Vucic conveyed to Archbishop Gallagher gratitude for the principled position of the Holy See regarding the non-recognition of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo-Metohija, as well as support in the preservation of Serbian religious and cultural heritage in the province.

Gallagher welcomed Belgrade's constructive role in relations with Kosovo, and voiced support for Serbia's European integration.

Belgrade, 4 Dec 2015 – Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic met today with Secretary of State of the Holy See for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher about relations between Belgrade and the Vatican, the position of the Catholic community in Serbia, the situation in the region and the migrant crisis.

Vucic conveyed to Archbishop Gallagher gratitude for the principled position of the Holy See regarding the non-recognition of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo-Metohija, as well as support in the preservation of Serbian religious and cultural heritage in the province.

Gallagher welcomed Belgrade's constructive role in relations with Kosovo, and voiced support for Serbia's European integration.

Belgrade, 22 September 2015 – President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic received today a farewell call from the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See in Belgrade, Orlando Antonini, whose term expires at the end of September.
President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic underlined that the relations between Serbia and the Vatican were at their historic peak. “Our bilateral relations have entered a new phase as a result of the fact that politics is led by people who understand the importance of cherishing cooperation. Pope Francis and I have laid sound foundations, and when the base is good the building is solid, too”, stated President Nikolic. He added that the positive attitude of the Serbian Orthodox Church was valuable in the establishment of lasting cooperation. President Nikolic particularly underlined the setting up of a Joint Committee tasked to establish all the facts related to the Second World War. ”Pope Francis is one of few religious leaders who looks upon Christianity as a whole and, during our talks, I had an impression that I was considered an equal, though I am of a different religion”, President Nikolic pointed out. Since dogmas separated almost a thousand years ago, it is time to build the future respecting the existing differences”, he added. President Nikolic stressed that Serbia appreciated the support rendered by the Holy See to Serbia in its European Integration Process and expressed particular gratitude for the principled position of the Holy See regarding non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija. We are particularly thankful for the interest expressed by the Vatican in the preservation of the Serbian Christian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija. President Nikolic thanked the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See in Belgrade, Orlando Antonini, for his great personal contribution to the opening of a new phase in the relations with the Vatican and the friendship demonstrated towards Serbia and the Serbian people.
Apostolic Nuncio Orlando Antonini underlined that he was faced with a great amount of openness and understanding of Serbia. “Mr. President, I always had your understanding and your good intentions were confirmed by conferring on me the Order of the Serbian Flag of the Second Degree for outstanding merits in the development and strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation between Serbia and the Holy See. I endeavoured to convey your message correctly and present the situation objectively. You appreciate the efforts that I have made and I am grateful for your good intentions”, emphasized Nuncio Orlando Antonini, expressing satisfaction at the idea of Pope Francis that a Joint Committee be established as an important step towards achieving historical understanding between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. “It is essential that the Roman Catholic Church is not identified with any nation or country, for it is multi-ethnic, having its own image and specificity. Additionally, my message to Hungarians, Croats and other nations of Catholic religion is not to look to Hungary, Croatia or any other country because God wanted them to be in Serbia and to be citizens of Serbia”, underlined Antonini.

Belgrade, 22 Sept 2015 – Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic received today on a farewell visit Apostolic Nuncio Orlando Antonini, and thanked him for the contribution to the development of relations between Serbia and Vatican.

Vucic said that during the six-year term of the representative of the Holy See, relations between Serbia and Vatican improved, as evidenced by the better understanding between the Roman Catholic Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

He also expressed gratitude to the Apostolic Nuncio for the principled position of the Holy See on non-recognising the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo.

Antonini said that during his stay in Serbia he had a lot of understanding and support of the government of Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

He praised the commitment of Prime Minister Vucic for reconciliation and the improvement of relations between countries in the region, and expressed hope that Serbia will this year open the first chapters in the negotiations for EU membership.

11. September 2015 - President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic had a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican. Topics that featured in the talks included, inter alia, the migrant crisis, Serbia’s objection to the admission of the so-called “Republic of Kosovo” to UNESCO and the establishment of a Joint Committee of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church tasked with examining the historical facts dating from WWII, and the role played by Aloysius Stepinac in the Independent State of Croatia.
President Nikolic presented Pope Francis with a phototypic edition of Dusan's Code and a monograph entitled “Christian Heritage of Kosovo and Metohija”.
Pope Francis presented President Nikolic with a gold medal produced on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of his election as Pontiff, and a book entitled “A history of the pontificate told through the history of medals”.
After the audience with the Pope, President Nikolic had a meeting with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Pietro Parolin. The Vatican delegation included Msgr. Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
President Nikolic presented Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, with the Order of the Republic of Serbia on a Sash, for exceptional merits in the development and strengthening the friendly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Holy See. Furthermore, the Serbian President presented the Secretary of State of the Holy See with the monograph “Christian Heritage of Kosovo and Metohija”.
A mutual interest in further development and promotion of cooperation, both bilateral and multilateral, was expressed during the visit.
President Nikolic also toured the Vatican Library, where he talked to the Chief Librarian and Archivist of the Holy See, Archbishop Jean-Louis Bruguès.

Belgrade, 20 Oct 2014 – Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic today expressed gratitude to Papal Nuncio Orlando Antonini for Vatican’s generous help given to Serbia during the recent floods, and informed him about the progress made in rebuilding the flooded areas.

Vucic said he appreciates the balanced position of the Vatican on all regional issues, and also expressed his gratitude over the principled stance of the Vatican not to recognise the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo-Metohija.

Antonini said that Caritas continues to provide assistance, noting that it is most important that the people in the affected areas recover spiritually.

They also discussed the agreement on cooperation in the field of higher education, as well as cooperation between the National Library of Serbia and the Vatican.

Antonini also invited Prime Minister Vucic to visit the Vatican

Si comunica che le donazioni per il risanamento dei gravi danni causati dalle alluvioni si possono effettuare sul conto dell’Ambasciata della Repubblica di Serbia a Roma (IBAN: IT 86 I 02008 05120 000400724321, SWIFT: UNCRITM1723, UNICREDIT BANCA). Inoltre, le donazioni si possono effettuare in contanti, con l’apposita ricevuta del versamento, presso la sede dell’Ambasciata della Repubblica di Serbia a Roma. Richiamiamo l’attenzione che da ieri, è possibile versare gli aiuti umanitari destinati alle  vittime della alluvioni in Serbia anche tramite PayPal sul floodrelief@gov.rs .

In questo modo desideriamo informarVi che, onde evitare di pagare le provvigioni bancarie, al momento si sta valutando la possibilità di attivare il conto presso una banca italiana sul quale sarebbe possibile versare il denaro per il risanamento dei danni causati dalle alluvioni (le informazioni più precise saranno messe tempestivamente sul sito dell’Ambasciata).

Gli aiuti umanitari, in forma dei prodotti di necessità di uso quotidiano, si possono consegnare presso la sede dell’Ambasciata della Repubblica di Serbia a Roma da dove verrebbero successivamente trasportati. Richiamiamo l’attenzione ai prodotti di uso quotidiano di maggiore necessità in questo momento: materassi, lenzuola, letti portatili, pannolini per bambini e anziani, calzini, biancheria, indumenti da bambini, torce, pile per torce, prodotti di igiene personale (saponi, carta igienica, scottex, assorbenti, spazzolini, dentifrici), antisettico tipo 5P, calosce di gomma. E’ sconsigliabile donare gli alimenti di breve scadenza.

Chiediamo ai cittadini che decidono di inviare gli aiuti umanitari dall’Italia in Serbia di organizzarlo da soli, contattando prima l’Ambasciata a Roma e/o i competenti Consolati della Repubblica di Serbia a Milano e a Trieste ai fini dell’ottenimento delle informazioni necessarie relative alla procedura doganale per l’importazione dela merce.

Ambassador  Mirko Jelić presented on 10 April Letters of Credence to the Grand Master of the Order of Malta Fra’ Matthew Festing.