Crown Prince Alexander II sends Christmas greetings to Serbians

Crown Prince Alexander II of Serbia

Crown Prince Alexander II of Serbia sent out his Christmas and New Year’s greetings to the Serbians as they celebrate the holidays based on the ancient Julian calendar. Here is His Royal Highness' message:


Dear Citizens of Serbia ,

2012 was a very difficult year for Serbia , although we fulfilled all our international obligations. It is not officially requested that Serbia recognise Kosovo, but it is demanded that Serbia normalise relations in the spirit of good neighbours. Our people who live there are still suffering great pressure.

All this was happening in 2012, the centenary of the First Balkan War, when my great grandfather King Peter I fulfilled Kosovo’s oath to liberate the Serbian Jerusalem. Even then, 100 years ago, Serbia tried to find its’ own path between the great powers that were not always friendly, but Serbia had its national interests, its strategy and its way to realise them.

Some people say that history should not be a burden on the way towards the future, and I agree with that, but history should teach us some things, and we should learn from it, to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

The economy is another field in which we suffered a very difficult year, and not just us but the world as a whole. Nevertheless, much more decisive actions are needed to remove bureaucratic barriers, so that the economic environment becomes more friendly for our business people and attractive for foreign investors.

I am extremely proud that the previous year brought several world class results. Our young mathematicians won world competitions again, as well as our athletes who won Olympic medals. We have winners here, among us. All these achievements confirm that Serbia is a country of many talents and great potential.

Those are the reasons for us all to unite, to build a stable and prosperous society, for the benefit of our homeland, our families and all citizens of Serbia regardless of religion or ethnic origin.

My family joins me in wishing all citizens of Serbia a good and prosperous New Year for 2013. Merry Christmas! Christ is born!