15.09.2026.
President Vučić presents decorations to mark Serbian Unity, Freedom and National Flag Day
On the occasion of the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag, the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, today presented decorations to outstanding individuals and institutions in a ceremony held at the Palace of Serbia.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić and the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović.On this occasion, the President of the Republic awarded the Order of Merit in Defence and Security, 3rd Class, to Sergeant 1st Class Miloš Andrejević of the 72nd Special Operations Brigade, Serbian Armed Forces.
Addressing the audience, President Vučić emphasised that the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag “is no ordinary day, but a holiday dedicated to honouring our glorious ancestors who carried freedom in their hearts”. He also said that their sacrifice had not been in vain. He said that “Serbia and Republika Srpska are marking the holiday together today”, and added that Serbia and Srpska had always stood by one another in the most difficult times.
- This is the last time I am delivering a speech as president on the Day of the Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag, but I am grateful that over the past years, we have fulfilled what we promised. There has never been any friction between Serbia and Srpska, even when we had different opinions on things, you were never able to see or hear it. Or even felt it. We always had to be there for one another and stand by one another in the most difficult moments – said the President of Serbia.Speaking about the importance of this holiday, President Vučić recalled the road the Serbian Army had travelled in the First World War and added that thousands of people had remained on that road forever, beneath the snow in the Prokletije Mountains, in the waters of the River Drim and the Adriatic Sea. He also noted that under the leadership of Field Marshal Živojin Mišić, the Serbian army had attacked in the most challenging terrain, in Kaymakchalan and Dobro Polje where the enemy thought breakthrough was impossible.
- Sisters and brothers, today we are not only celebrating a military victory, we are celebrating the biological survival of our people. Our generation has made sure that their legacy became law. That is why, in August 2020, an idea emerged to give this memory a new institutional body. The Republic of Serbia and Srpska agreed to establish something desperately needed – a holiday that we would celebrate together, in the same manner, with the same pride, both in Serbia and Srpska – President Vučić said. Speaking directly to the laureates, the President of Serbia stressed that their efforts and their life’s work had not gone unnoticed, and that their love for Serbia had not been forgotten. On behalf of Serbia, he expressed deep gratitude for everything they had done, highlighting that the decorations were more than mere recognitions, they were an expression of Serbia’s deep respect for the people who had demonstrated what responsibility, solidarity and the love of one’s neighbour truly meant. He also noted that “this year, more than ever before, a special debt of gratitude is owed to fire-fighters and rescue units whose actions have saved the lives, property and security of the citizens of Serbia.”
- Dear laureates, may these medals and decorations serve as lasting reminders that Serbia appreciates its best people and its great friends. Once again, congratulations to all decorated individuals. Long live the unity of the Serbian people, long live freedom, long live the Serbian flag, today, tomorrow, and forever. Long live Srpska, long live Serbia – President Vučić said.The ceremony was attended by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, the Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željka Cvijanović, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, the Prime Minister of Serbia, Đuro Macut, alongside his cabinet ministers, the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Savo Minić, Milorad Dodik, and numerous distinguished guests from Serbia and the region.
