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.