Several members of the Montenegrin Government, MPs and local government leaders attended the central state ceremony in Orašac today on the occasion of Serbian Statehood Day, which commemorates the First Serbian Uprising in 1804 and the adoption of the Sretenje Constitution in 1835.
The ceremony was led by the outgoing Prime Minister of Serbia, Miloš Vučević, as an envoy of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and the Prime Minister of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian entity of Republika Srpska, Radovan Višković, in the presence of high-ranking state officials, delegations from the region, representatives of Serbian cultural and national institutions, the diplomatic corps, religious dignitaries, representatives of the scientific community and citizens.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Milun Zogović (DNP), as well as Ministers Vladimir Joković and Dragoslav Šćekić (SNP), DNP leader and MP Milan Knežević, MPs Velimir Đoković and Dejan Đurović (NSD), and the President of the Municipality of Pljevlja Dario Vraneš (NSD) and the President of the Municipality of Nikšić Marko Kovačević (NSD).
In a statement, Šćekić sent his congratulations to all citizens of Serbia.
"This great holiday reminds us of the strength, the spirit of freedom and the unwavering fight for justice and dignity. Montenegro and Serbia are bound by unbreakable historical, cultural and fraternal ties, which are the foundation of our common past and future. May the years ahead bring us even stronger cooperation, progress and success in all fields! Long live Serbia! Long live Montenegro," said the SNP vice president, in a statement released by the party to the media.
"As part of the ceremony, with the highest state and military honors, wreaths were laid at the memorial in Orašac, the place where Karađorđe Petrović marked the beginning of the struggle for liberation and restoration of Serbian statehood more than two centuries ago in front of Serbian leaders. After the wreath-laying, the guests had the opportunity to hear the appropriate speeches of officials, who emphasized the significance of the Meeting as one of the most important dates in the history of the Serbian people, a symbol of the struggle for freedom, independence and constitutionalism," the Office of the President of the Municipality of Pljevlja said in a statement.
A cultural and artistic program was organized by the Ministry of Culture of Serbia, with performances by artists and ensembles who presented Serbian historical and cultural heritage.
"The presence of the Pljevlja Municipality delegation at this event confirms the close historical and cultural ties of the Serbian people on both sides of the Drina and Lim rivers. These ties, based on a common historical heritage, spirituality and tradition, will continue to be nurtured through cooperation in the fields of culture, education and economy, with the aim of preserving and promoting common national interests," Vranes' cabinet said in a statement.
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