Kozarev at the Commemoration of the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom, and the National Flag in Herceg Novi

Conveying greetings on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko Đurić, Kozarev emphasized that this day is dedicated to honoring the unity that binds us, wherever we may be, and to the flag in which the dreams, hopes, and traditions of an entire nation are interwoven – the guardian of Serbian identity and the emblem of all the historic victories of our illustrious forebears.

“Today, with pride, we commemorate the heroic feat of the Serbian army, 15 September – a date deeply etched in the history of the Great War, for the Serbs significantly shortened its duration through the valiant breakthrough of the Salonika Front. It is also a reminder of the glorious ancestors who inscribed the Serbian history of freedom and to whom we remain eternally grateful – among them Field Marshals Petar Bojović, Živojin Mišić, and Stepa Stepanović,” Kozarev underlined.

He recalled that under the Serbian flag of unity, Serbia has for centuries fought battles for freedom, safeguarded its sacred places, and endured sacrifices from the Battle of Kosovo, through the Balkan Wars and the First and Second World Wars, down to the present day, full of challenges.

“One such battle to be remembered was the Battle of Mojkovac, fought on 6–7 January 1916 near Mojkovac, in which the Montenegrin army successfully halted the Austro-Hungarian offensive, thereby enabling the retreat of the Army of the Kingdom of Serbia across parts of the Kingdom of Montenegro towards the Adriatic Sea. The great hero then commanded the Army of the Kingdom of Montenegro, Serdar Janko Vukotić,” Kozarev recalled.

Reflecting on the legacy of the glorious Serbian forefathers upon whose shoulders we build the future, Kozarev stressed that today, more than ever, the tricolor is not only a symbol of numerous trials and victories, but also a pledge to our people that we shall do everything in our power to safeguard unity, harmony, freedom, and national interests, and to endure despite all obstacles.

“In war, it is a matter of honor to protect the flag of one’s nation. In none of their battles did the Serbs ever lose their flag. For it they gave their lives; under it they were wed; with it they adorned wedding processions; with it they celebrated festivities. It is raised on the roof of every home we build. Our athletes stand proudly on the podium when receiving trophies, standing at attention when the anthem is played alongside the flag in sporting arenas. The Serbian tricolor is always displayed with pride and dignity, for it is a symbol of belonging and identity; it tells who we are, where our roots lie, and where we are destined to go,” stated the Secretary General.

He further reminded that this year also marks 80 years since the victory over fascism and 80 years since the founding of the United Nations, where, equally among the flags of 193 member states, the Serbian flag proudly waves in the highest House of Nations of the world.

“The Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom, and the National Flag is a day for all Serbs, wherever they live, and a day that makes us proud as we affirm our tricolor as a symbol of the Serbian nation, wherever we may be. The national flag is who we are – pride, sacrifice, glory, faith, hope, and a guiding beacon for strengthening unity, for we remain one with it and under it throughout the centuries,” said Kozarev.

According to him, the Serbian flag bears profound symbolic value and forever stands as both a reminder and a pledge of loyalty to the homeland, Serbia, for its colors permanently remind us of courage, fidelity, purity, and honor.

“We must remain united in these challenging times for our people in Kosovo and Metohija, in The Republic of Srpska, and indeed in Montenegro, as well as in Serbia itself, knowing well how dearly disunity and internal strife have cost us throughout history,” Kozarev concluded.

This Day, he underlined, should serve as an incentive to build good neighborly relations, unity in diversity, and a society founded on tolerance, justice, solidarity, patriotism, and hope.

“Long live Serbia, long live the Serbian people, and may all live in peace and harmony, united under the common banner of freedom and national unity, guided by the wise and responsible policies of our President, Aleksandar Vučić,” declared the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dušan Kozarev.

The commemoration of the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom, and the National Flag in Herceg Novi was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Montenegro, Nebojša Rodić, the staff of the General Consulate led by Consul General Mićo Rogović, the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milun Zogović, representatives of the Montenegrin Parliament, the Serbian Orthodox Church, diaspora associations, cultural and artistic societies, and Professor Darko Tanasković, who also addressed the gathering.