On the occasion of 11th November – Armistice Day, the President of the Republic of Serbia H.E. Aleksandar Vučić awarded the Order of the Republic of Serbia on a sash to the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg H.E. Xavier Bettel, for merits in developing and strengthening peaceful cooperation and friendly relations among Luxembourg and Serbia. In the address of the President of Serbia on the occasion of the proclamation of the Decree on the Order, H.E. Aleksandar Vučić expressed his gratitude to H.E. Xavier Bettel for emphasizing the role of the Republic of Serbia in the First World War and the contribution of the Republic of Serbia to the magnificent victory of the Allies, as well as for supporting European path of the Republic of Serbia and its economic development.

The Order of the Republic of Serbia on a sash was handed to the Prime Minister of Luxembourg H.E Xavier Bettel, by the special envoy of the President of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Marina Jovicevic, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, on February 4th 2021. On that occasion, ambassador Jovicevic outlined excellent bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Serbia, including two official visits at prime ministers level during 2019 that opened the door for further enhancement of cooperation, particularly in ICT, trade, economics, culture and education.

As the country deeply devoted to the rule of law, Luxembourg provides for continuous support in European integration of the Republic of Serbia, including substantial technical assistance to Serbian administration in strengthening the capacities to implement EU law. Luxembourg has also been one of major investors in the Republic of Serbia, thus the announcement of Luxair to introduce direct flight to Belgrade as of June 3rd, 2021 will give even stronger impetus to better connections among our two countries and peoples. Luxembourg, been known as diversifying country with a number of nations, was praised for supporting Serbian community and Serbian Cultural Center.

Joint historical legacy in the First and Second World War laid foundations for successful cooperation between our respective countries commemorating this year 65th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. As we share joint values and belief that freedom should never be taken for granted, Serbia will invest all the efforts to become the EU member state and part of the United Europe where it belongs and we hope that Luxembourg will be our ally on that part.

The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, H.E. Xavier Bettel, thanked President R. Serbia for the decoration that means a lot to him, because Serbia and Luxembourg have historically celebrated many important anniversaries, both good and difficult, and that is very important because we know that we can trust each other. He especially thanked President of the Republic of Serbia and Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia for friendship, because both through diplomatic and historical relations, it has been shown that friendship is the strongest link that connects two countries. Historical heritage is very important for Luxembourg, and presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia at the ceremony marking the end of the Second World War, sent a strong message that we were historically on the same side .

In the area of bilateral cooperation between Luxembourg and Serbia, a lot has already been done, especially in the field of digitalization, but much remains to be done. We both are on the same continent, but we are separated by 1500 kilometers, however, due to Luxair's decision to introduce a direct flight to Belgrade, we are now even closer than before. The importance of the upcoming start of cooperation between students from Serbia and Luxembourg through the Erasmus project was also outlined. Luxembourg has always supported Serbia on the path of European integration, a path very important to Serbia. Serbia has a place in the European Union and we should work together to accelerate steps towards that goal, chapter by chapter.

The Order of the Republic of Serbia on a sash is a proof of friendship, but also a great honor for the people of Luxembourg, especially because members of the Serbian community, as well as many others from the former SFRY, found their future in Luxembourg. The fact that 70% of foreigners live in the City of Luxembourg is just additional proof that differences do not make Luxembourg weak but stronger.