Vučić and Lavrov visited the Temple of Saint Sava and the Russian minister read Putin’s letter.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Belgrade.

A reception was organized for Lviv and, as previously announced, he was received at the airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Nikola Selaković. In addition to him, there are also the Russian ambassador to Serbia, Aleksandar Bocan-Kharchenko, and the Serbian ambassador to Russia, Miroslav Lazanski.

Vučić responded to the letter from the Russian president

– For more than 100 years, there has been the idea to build the temple of St. Sava, we have struggled for decades, but with the great support and help of Russian friends, we have managed to complete most of the work in the last decade. I want to say in two more words, knowing Patriarch Irinej, I would be proud if Sergei were with you, I would look at the domes and admire the mastery of Russian artists. A big thank you to President Putin, this is his temple and ours. Don’t be angry when we use your words when we want to say that we have the most beautiful temple in the world. Long live the friendship between Russia and Serbia – said Aleksandar Vučić.

Lavrov addresses the audience reading Putin’s letter

– Dear President and present, I will read you a letter from the President of the Russian Federation.

“Dear Mr. President, dear friends. I cordially congratulate an important event, the completion of the mosaic in the Temple of Saint Sava. Only the construction of the magnificent church inspired and united several generations of Serbs who wanted to perpetuate the memory of Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church The mosaic that adorned the temple walls was created by Serbian and Russian masters, and this cooperation is important and symbolic.

Convey sincere thanks to all who contribute to the construction of the temple, as well as wishes of happiness and prosperity to the citizens of Belgrade and all the citizens of Serbia, Vladimir Putin. “

Minister Lavrov then said that all Russians convey cordial greetings to all Serbs and express their regret for Irinej’s death.

Visit to the Temple of San Sava

Lavrov arrived at the Temple of Saint Sava with President Vučić, where they laid flowers on the grave of the recently deceased Serbian Patriarch Irinej.

On that occasion, Minister Lavrov will read a letter from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on the occasion of the completion of the works of the Temple, in which Russian artists also participated.

Aleksandar Vučić’s speech

President Vučić said that today we are where those who knew how much the word “freedom” costs are.

– They paid for it with their lives and did not ask for anything in return. Nothing prevented them from exchanging their future for ours – said Vučić.

As he says, our debt is as great as our freedom.

– We must always remember that Serbian and Russian soldiers were on the same side of rights, justice and freedom. That they were together in the fight to make the world a better place and that they built our strong brotherly ties, Vučić said.

As he says, today the task is to fight against the rewriting of history.

– There is no mission more important than hard-won freedom. May this flame forever warn us that we are not entitled to a moment of oblivion – said Vučić.

It emphasizes that we must be worthy of that heroic act and that freedom.

– To remember forever the exploits of our ancestors! Long live the friendship between Russia and Serbia – Vucic finished.

Sergei Lavrov’s speech

– It is very good for me to participate in the ceremony of the lighting of the eternal fire, I thank President Vučić for organizing this event. Yesterday, a ceremony of seizing the flames of eternal fire was held in Moscow, and today the eternal fire was lit in the Serbian capital, said Sergey Lavrov.

Lighting ceremony of the “Eternal Fire”

Vučić and Lavrov, first, at 12.50, will attend the ceremony of lighting the eternal fire and will lay wreaths at the Monument “Eternal Fire” in the Memorial Cemetery of the Liberators of Belgrade, after which it is planned to go to the audience.

Then at 1:40 pm, they will visit the Temple of Saint Sava and lay flowers at the grave of the recently deceased Serbian Patriarch Irinej, announced the President’s Press Office.

On that occasion, Minister Lavrov will read a letter from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on the occasion of the completion of the works of the Temple, in which Russian artists also participated.

The president of Serbia and the head of Russian diplomacy will talk at 4:30 p.m. in Villa Mir, and after the meeting, statements are scheduled for the media by the two officials.

During the visit, Lavrov will also meet with his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic, after which, as he announced, they will sign the Consultation Plan between the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2021-2022. year.