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4 November 2017

Russia’s President Putin decorates former President of Serbia and incumbent National Council President Tomislav Nikolić with Order of Friendship on the National Unity Day

Following are the remarks by former President of the Republic of Serbia and incumbent President of the National Council for Russia and China Tomislav Nikolić, at the official award presentation ceremony held in Moscow on 4 November 2017, the National Unity Day of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of receiving a high state decoration – the Order of Friendship – conferred upon him by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

Russia’s President Putin decorates former President of Serbia and incumbent National Council President Tomislav Nikolić with Order of Friendship on the National Unity Day

„Mr. President,

Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

I would like to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for doing me the honour of presenting me with the Order of Friendship, a high state decoration, on the National Unity Day. On behalf of the people of the Republic of Serbia, I accept this Order of the Russian Federation, a country which both Serbia and the Serbian people historically perceive as the closest friend and ally. I accept this Order of the Russian people, close to us by origin, language, religion and history, the people that we are building our common future with. I am pleased, Mr. President, that you have personally recognized the efforts I have put in as President of Serbia between May 2012 and May 2017, despite numerous difficulties and obstacles, in order for us to fully advance the overall relations between our countries and to upgrade them to the strategic level, owing to our concerted efforts. It cannot be and it must not be otherwise. You may rest assured that, as long as I live, and whatever I do, I will continue to advocate further reinforcement of the relations between our brotherly peoples and countries.

Dear President Putin,

Allow me to congratulate the National Unity Day to the people of Russia, to wish you good health and happiness and to reiterate that you have my deepest respect.”