The address of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic at the ceremony in the residence of the U.S. Ambassador Kyle Scott on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the flying of the Serbian flag above the White House:
“Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
On this very day, one hundred years ago, a statement of the U.S. President Woodrow Wilson was read out in the churches around the country and published in all major daily papers. U.S. President expressed his admiration of the “gallant people of Serbia”, touched by their heroic acts.
Due to “their love of freedom”, he said, “Serbs opposed the superior forces”. In honor of our courageous people, the Serbian flag flew above the White House and all U.S. public buildings.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I have just returned from Washington D.C. where I also attended an event in honor of this anniversary in the U.S. Congress. The U.S. and Serbian capitals jointly recalled a historic alliance of our two peoples and even more importantly, we have jointly paved the way for further development of our partnership relations.
Our ancestors fought together for the same values and sacrificed their lives to achieve them. Wars should not be repeated and that is why the Republic of Serbia is investing efforts towards regional peace and stability so that it may become a part of a united, democratic Europe. That is why a positive dynamic of bilateral relations with the USA is at the top of our foreign policy priorities.
We particularly appreciate the support of the USA to our efforts to fulfill the above goals and I hope that it shall be continued in the future.
I am glad that in Washington and today in Belgrade I took part in the events reminding us that we have an obligation to overcome the negative legacy of recent past and fully cooperate on the basis of common values and mutual interests of our two countries.
Looking back on President Wilson’s words, who called upon the people of the United States of America of all religions and faiths to come to their places of worship and pray for the Serbian people, I would like to remind you today that in our country you have a reliable partner.
Thank you for your attention.”