Decorations on the Occasion of the Serbia Statehood Day
Friday, 15.2.2019 | Culture and traditions
On the occasion of the Statehood Day of Serbia – 15 February, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić awarded medals to meritorious individuals and institutions.
The ceremony was also attended by Minister of Defense Aleksandar Vulin and Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Milan Mojsilović.
President Vučić communicated on Sretenje that courage and determination were required not to succumb to outside pressures and in order to defend the right of our people to survive; and also wisdom to make the best decisions for the future of Serbia.
- On this day, 215 years ago, the liberation struggle began, led by Karađorđe. It was the setoff of a long and strenuous route towards freedom, peace, equality, as well as building a modern and prosperous Serbian state. Over the past 215 years, we have created a state. This state is that much more successful when we recall that we have been tripped, blocked, set back and there have even been attempts to destroy us. Sometimes our enemies did it, and sometimes we ourselves took part in it. The values leading our freedom fighters also found their place in the first constitution of Serbia from 1835, a modern, contemporary, exceptional constitutions for the time. It abolished feudalism, guaranteed freedom and restrained absolutist power, briefly though. But even that was enough to further pursue the struggle for a modern and free Serbia, to demonstrate to everyone around the world that the sun of freedom powerfully shines over our country.
This is the route that Serbia still pursues. Just like at the turn of now two centuries ago, our society and our country are facing great challenges. And today, just as at the time, the core values governing us are freedom, peace, equality. And above all, love for our Serbia.
Today, more than ever, we need Karađorđe's courage and determination, but perhaps more than that, Miloš's intelligence and wisdom. The courage to stand our ground and not succumb to outside pressures, in order to defend the right of our people to survive. But also wisdom and cold head to make the best decisions for the life and future of Serbia. That is why we need the priceless heritage of both Karadjordje and the great Prince Miloš Obrenović.
Dear laureates, through your work, selflessness, energy and self-sacrifice, your contribution to Serbia staying committed to her values, to be better, more successful, happier and more modern is priceless. That is precisely why, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia, I present these medals today.
I would especially like to thank foreign laureates who have promoted the reputation of Serbia far beyond her borders, thus confirming belonging to the same goals and culture, commitment to the same values. And we can decidedly say that they have become a part of us.
I wish to point out that the decorations that you receive today are the reward and gratitude for your deeds. But also a huge commitment you will have the strength, I am certain, to continue in the future. I congratulate all the citizens of Serbia on this important holiday - our Sretenje. Long live Serbia!
Among those who received decorations awarded by President Vučić are individuals, institutions and associations in the areas of defence, culture, medicine, economy, sports, science, diplomacy etc.
Retired General Ljubiša Diković, former Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, was awarded the Order of Karađorđe’s Star of the First Degree.
The Military Technical Institute was awarded the Order of the White Eagle with Swords of the Second Degree, on the occasion of 70 years of work, for special merits in the development of the defence system and contribution to the field of military scientific research. The recognition was received by the assignee of the Director, Colonel Bojan Pavković.
The Sretenje Order of the First Degree was awarded to Military Film Center “Zastava Film”, on the occasion of 70 years of work, for special merits in the field of cultural and documentary activities. The award was received by the Director, Lieutenant Colonel Goran Ikonić.
The Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defense “Stanislav Binički” was also decorated with the Sretenje Order of the Third Degree, on the occasion of 120 years of work, for special merits and results achieved in cultural activities. The award was received by the Head of the Ensemble Commander (N) Svetozar Vasileski.
On the occasion of the Statehood Day of Serbia, a total of 93 members of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Armed Forces were decorated. The decorations will be conferred on the Serbian Armed Forces’ Day.
Following today's award ceremony, the assignee of the Director of the Military Technical Institute, Colonel Bojan Pavković, spoke about the most important moments in the course of 70 years of existence and work of the Institute, pointing out that this institution has built its identity by the results achieved, which include the development of more than 1.400 weapons and military assets.
- This decoration is very important for us, as it shows that the highest state leadership recognizes the Military Technical Institute as a significant factor in raising the capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces, and in addition, as an important factor in the development of science and technology of the Republic of Serbia. We receive this award in the year in which we achieved record success in the number of assets that were introduced among the weapons and military equipment and it is a task that we need to live up to not only this year but also in the years to come – said Colonel Pavković.
According to the director of the Military Film Center “Zastava Film”, Lieutenant Colonel Goran Ikonić, in the 70 years of work, “Zastava Film” has received numerous awards and recognition, and the one received today, Sretenje Order of the First Degree represents the highest award, which all the members of this Center are proud of.
- This is a recognition awarded to all the previous generations of employees of “Zastava”, who have worked diligently and built the name of this house for seven decades, thus making it possible for us to receive this decoration today. This decoration is an honour for the present generation, but also an obligation to work even harder and better and to prove that it belongs to us rightfully and deservedly. Personally, I am extremely happy to have been given the honour to receive this high recognition on behalf of the Military Film Center “Zastava Film” and the Public Relations Department on such a memorable jubilee for “Zastava Film” - said Lieutenant Colonel Ikonić.
On behalf of the Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defense “Stanislav Binički”, the Sretenje Order of the Third Degree was received by the Head of the Ensemble, Commander (N) Svetozar Vasileski, who on this occasion stated that this is a medal for the entire work of the Ensemble on the promotion of Serbian culture and artistic and cultural creativity of all the members of the Ministry Defense and Serbian Armed Forces.
- The Order has a special significance for us as it comes in the year in which we celebrate 120 years of existence and promotion of three centuries of Serbian music. I would like to emphasize once more that this decoration is important not only to the Ensemble but also to all the members of the music service and all the military musicians who work at the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Armed Forces today, said Commander (N) Vasileski.
