15.02.2015.

Ceremonial reception at the President of the Republic on the occasion of the Statehood Day

President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic organized tonight the traditional reception on the occasion of the Statehood Day. Aside from most esteemed persons from political, public and cultural milieu of the state, diplomatic corps, representatives of religious communities, the reception was attended by Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic, Head of the General Staff of Serbia General Ljubisa Dikovic with members of Collegium.

In his address, President of the Republic reminded that Sretenje, February 15 is celebrated as the Statehood Day of Serbia, because the First Serbian Uprising broke out on this day in 1804, and Sretenje Constitution was adopted in 1835.

- Sretenje Constitution from 1835, with its ideas of freedom, justice, abolition of slavery for

every man that steps onto Serbian ground, its care for finances, for the nation, and particularly with its provisions on civil laws and the National Assembly was so progressive and modern for its age that it was severely attacked from all sides. It immediately caused reactions and negations by powerful states that were not willing to accept the values that are today considered civilizational legacy and which were first defined by the very Constitution of the then vassal Principality of Serbia – President of Serbia stressed.

Nikolic said that, even though it only lasted several days, until it was suspended by Prince Milos in March, it is a historical fact that in some of its provisions Sretenje Constitution truly set very high standards on which today’s constitutions of modern democratic states lie.

- As in the time of Milos the word broke out on Sretenje Constitution, progressive and visionary, today, Serbia is known for its successes in reforms and in sports, culture, for its young scientists and champions of knowledge. It has become a prestigious place to be considered, for investments and its touristic marvels – President Nikolic said, and added that Serbia still has the commitment to preserve and improve itself and others, and to keep engraving its name in civilizational legacies as Sretenje Constitution did in its time, with its leap and vision.