May 31, 2021.

State secretary in Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Serbia Nemanja Starovic spoke today at the opening of the exhibition regarding 80 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Republic of Serbia and Canada, in the Archive of Yugoslavia.

Secretary of State Starovic recalled that bilateral relations between Serbia and Canada were established by Decree, signed by King Petar II Karadjordjevic and by opening of the Ministry of Yugoslavia in Ottawa in 1941., adding that our two nations even before formal diplomatic contacts linked equally bright traditions.

Secretary of State Starovic said that relations between Serbia and Canada, established in times of great challenges, when our nations demonstrated courage, unity and solidarity in the fight for preserving common civilization values, speak of our two countries still being true allies today.

The Secretary of State points to the continuous Canadian support for the Serbian process of Euro-integration, noting that Serbia and Canada share awareness about the necessity of preserving peace, stability and security, as well as the vision of prosperity in the Western Balkans.

Starovic expressed confidence that Canada will recognize the efforts of our side in a constructive approach to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which is being sponsored by the EU, where we clearly express our commitment to preserving peace and security.

Also, he reflected on the fact that in Canada lives numerous Serbian diaspora, which represents an important integrative element and a direct clamp of our two states.

Starovic concluded that eight decades of diplomatic relations represents the basis for strengthening cooperation, reflected in the solidarity we have shown in the fight against the crisis caused by the pandemic.
At the opening of the exhibition, the director of the Archive of Yugoslavia dr Milan Terzic and the ambassador of Canada in Belgrade Djiles Norman, and the parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada Robert Olifant, as well as the ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Ottawa Dejan Ralevic addressed.