105th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Serbia and the Kingdom of Denmark

Opening the ceremony in the State Archives of Serbia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selaković emphasised that the diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Serbia and the Kingdom of Denmark were established during World War I. He stated that a friendship between countries and nations, when it was honest, had such deep and strong roots that it could resist even the most devastating whirlwinds of war, and was always expanding and becoming more fruitful.

“Even now, when war and instability is again looming throughout the world, it is time, more than ever, to insist on the friendship between nations and countries. For that reason, I think that the anniversary we commemorate today is a ray of hope in dark times”, said Minister Selaković.

Minister Selaković stressed that Serbia was proud and grateful that the relations between the two countries were enriched by the presence of some of the most important Danish companies in this market, making made Denmark a part of the story of economic recovery of Serbia.

“I am convinced that bilateral relations, both in terms of politics and in terms of economy, will further improve in the future, as we have the foundations for building something magnificent”, stated Minister Selaković.

In his words, Denmark’s example shows that nations that are small in numbers may be truly great in their achievements, which shows that the ambitions of the Serbian people are not unrealistic or impossible.

“Serbia, which, like Denmark, has had its ups and downs throughout its history, wishes to find its place in the world through work, innovation, economic success and social development”, said Minister Selaković.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark in the Republic of Serbia Susanne Shine stated that two countries had good bilateral relations and expressed hope that Serbia would continue on its reform path in order to soon become a part of the EU family.

She highlighted the fact that it was during Denmark's EU Presidency that Serbia became a candidate for EU membership, and emphasised that Denmark had continued to support to Serbia on its European path.

Ambassador Shine expressed hope that an even greater number Danish companies would invest in Serbia in the future, and that the partnership between the two countries would be further built.

As a part of the ceremony, a milestone postal stamp, made by the Post Office of Serbia, was presented, and paintings by Professor Jefta Perić, which had until recently been in a private art collection in Denmark and are considered a cultural good, were given to the Pave Beljanski Memorial Collection.

The ceremony ended with a promotion of the collection of documents titled “Kingdom of Serbia and Kingdom of Denmark”, published by the State Archives of Serbia, and with the opening of the exhibition of the same name.

This book is a part of the edition “Little Library” of the State Archives of Serbia. Some of the documents witnessing the start of relations between the two nations include a part of the “Travels” by Hans Christian Andersen that is about Serbia, letters by the first Ambassadors of Serbia to Denmark, Milutin Jovanović and the poet Milan Rakić, and testimonies on the activity of the Danish Medical Mission in the Military Sanitation of the Royal Serbian Army during World War I.

Speakers at the ceremony who talked about the Serbia-Denmark relations and about the book included Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Kingdom of Denmark Jasmina Mitrović-Marić, Director of the PE Post of Serbia, Belgrade Zoran Đorđević, manager of the Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection Milana Kvas, reviewers: Professor PhD Boško Suvajdžić and Professor PhD Mile Bjelajac, as well as the Director of the State Archives of Serbia Miroslav Perišić, PhD.