HRH CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER II  CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MESSAGE JULIAN CALENDAR 

Belgrade, 6 January 2012 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II extends his Christmas and New Year’s message to the citizens of Serbia who celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar. 

Dear Citizens of Serbia,

2011 was a very difficult year for Serbia, although we fulfilled all our international obligations, unfortunately the European Parliament postponed the decision about candidacy status in the European Union. It is not officially requested that Serbia recognise Kosovo, but it is demanded that Serbia normalise relationships in the spirit of good neighbours. Our people who live there are suffering great pressure, and Serbian sanctuaries are in danger to be labeled as somebody else’s by UNESCO. All this is happening on the eve of 2012, the centenary of the First Balkan War, when my great grandfather King Peter I fulfilled Kosovo’s oath to liberate the Serbian Jerusalem. Even then, 100 years ago, Serbia tried to find its’ own path between the great powers that were not always friendly, but Serbia had its national interests, its strategy and its way to realise them. Some people say that history should not be a burden on the way towards the future, and I agree with that, but history should teach us some things, and we should learn from it, to avoid repeating the same mistakes.      The economy is another field in which we have suffered a very difficult year, and not just us but the world as a whole. Nevertheless, much more decisive actions are needed to remove bureaucratic barriers, so that the economic environment becomes more friendly for our business people and attractive for foreign investors.  I am extremely proud that the previous year brought several world class results. Our young mathematicians won world competitions again, as well as our female national volleyball team and Novak Djokovic was proclaimed the best athlete in the world. Belgrade got a new bridge over Sava River, the first one in 40 years. We have winners here, among us. All these achievements confirm that Serbia is a country of many talents and great potential.  Those are the reasons for us all to unite, to build stable and prosperous society, for the benefit of our homeland, our families and all citizens of Serbia regardless of religion or ethnic origin.

My family joins me in wishing all citizens of Serbia a good and prosperous New Year for 2012.

Merry Christmas!

Christ is born!

Alexander

 Public Relations
The Royal Palace
Belgrade 11040,Serbia
Tel: +381 11 306 4000
Fax:+381 11 306 4040Please visit: www.royal.rs