Printer Friendly Version Special message of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dačić on the occasion of 25 May, Day of Friendship of the Republic of Serbia with the Peoples of Africa @ 27 May 2019 02:16 PM

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia H.E. Mr. Ivica Dačić, sent a special message on the occasion of 25th May, celebrated in the Republic of Serbia as the Day of Friendship with African Peoples.
In the message, that the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Serbia to UNESCO distributed to the delegations of African countries in UNESCO, it is said:

“We in Serbia have been for a long time jointly celebrating Africa Day which our friends from Africa celebrate as their own holiday. So, in 2017, the Government of the Republic of Serbia formally decided to include 25th of May, in the calendar of most important dates in our country as the Day of Friendship with African Peoples. To us, that day symbolizes primarily our sincere wish to foster and painstakingly build our relations with Africa which we have been linked to by decades-long traditional friendship dating back to the times of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The relations between Serbia and African countries have been based on solid foundations of togetherness, mutual understanding and support, cooperation and solidarity. These relations are not just about the past that we are extremely proud of, but about a promising future as well.
The Republic of Serbia is strongly committed to the development of comprehensive cooperation with African countries and within the limits of its possibilities it is dedicated to the further strengthening of political and economic ties as well as those in the fields of culture, education and other segments falling within the purview of UNESCO.
Designating 25th of May as the Day of Friendship with the Peoples of Africa is a symbolic way of reaffirming this commitment. At the same time, it represents an additional impetus to enriching our relations with a new content where a prominent place is undoubtedly assigned to UNESCO activities. In that context, along with the engagement in the field of humanitarian and development activities in Africa, we shall continue to grant scholarships to African students attending Serbian universities. It will be an honor for us to host those young people representing an important bridge between our cultures and true Ambassadors of Serbian-African friendship.
The Republic of Serbia is heartened by any progress made by the African continent and we support the efforts of African countries to meet strategic African goals including ensuring a peaceful and safe future, eradication of poverty and disease, preservation and strengthening of cultural identity, common heritage and values as well as the continent's political, economic and cultural unity with a view to creating a united and powerful Africa as a global factor and partner. This is the place that Africa and its peoples, we deeply believe, undoubtedly deserve.
In Serbia, Africa has always had and will have a friend and partner for cooperation in the interest of well-being and prosperity for all of us. In that spirit, please accept, Your Excellencies, the assurances of my highest consideration.”