[Ројалист]

Mr Predrag Markovic, Envoy of Crown Prince Alexander at Orasac and Oplenac ceremonies

Belgrade, 15 February 2016 – Envoy of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander, member of the Crown Council, Mr Predrag Markovic, laid wreaths today in Orasac and Oplenac, on Statehood Day of Serbia. Wreaths were laid also by Mr Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, and Mr Bojan Radovic, president of Arandjelovac Municipality. His Grace Bishop Jovan of Sumadija officiated a Holy Liturgy at the Church in Orasac and St. George Church in Oplenac.

Mr Predrag Markovic read a letter of HRH Crown Prince Alexander who said in his message to citizens of Serbia: “I extend my best wishes to the people of Serbia as we celebrate our National Day on Monday 15 February. On this day, 212 years ago, our situation. Serbia must focus on making a country where all citizens live with dignity, country where human rights are respected and where the rule of law is valued, a country which remembers its past with respect, but it is aware of the new circumstances. Serbia has always been and it still is a European country, and if people abroad sometimes are not aware of that, we are and we have to be. To be a part of Europe doesn’t mean necessarily to choose between two or more dominant options, but to feel and think like being a part of Europe without borders. Long live Serbia!”

Mr Predrag Markovic, envoy of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander and member of the Crown Council emphasized in his speech that Serbia has decided 212 ago to break free from the continent it didn’t belong to – Asia, and to restore its state at the continent it belonged to – Europe, and that today’s Anniversary is a happy one both for those who choose to read from left to right as well as for those who read from right to left. “Our choice is the easy one today. We do not have anything important to choose. People better than us have made that choice 212 ago. In much more difficult and poorer times. We only have to keep and restore what they have chosen and built. Serbia is a country of wonderful differences today. But Sretenje is its unique holiday. Holiday of hope that nature is restoring after the winter. And reminder that people gather of their strength to rebuild the best they have. Something that they have not to choose, like they do not have to choose a family they are born to”, emphasized Mr Markovic.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander together with his family once again congratulates Statehood Day to all citizens of Serbia.