Text and photos: Juan David Latorre
The Serbian Embassy celebrated the National Day of the Republic, known as “Sretenje,” and Serbian Armed Forces Day yesterday at a reception for the Diplomatic Corps and the Serbian community in Spain.
Ambassador Irena Sarac noted in her welcoming address that “we celebrate two fundamental values: freedom and the state. On February 15, 1804, the first Serbian uprising began with the liberation from autonomous rule, and on the same day, February 15, 1835, the first constitution of the modern Serbian state, the Sretenje Constitution, was proclaimed, considered one of the most progressive and modern of its time. We are very proud that in 2026, Serbia and Spain will commemorate 110 years of our diplomatic relations.”
“In addition to a very similar mindset, the struggle for the preservation, promotion, defense, and respect of international law is undoubtedly one of the bonds that most firmly unites our two countries and our two peoples. Serbia and Spain are not geographically close, and we do not have a particularly rich shared history, but the friendship between our two nations is deeply rooted emotionally,” the Serbian ambassador emphasized.
Irena Sarac went on to detail upcoming important dates, such as the 50th anniversary in 2027 of “the mutual opening of embassies, Spain’s in Belgrade and that of the then Yugoslavia in Madrid. In 2027 we will also celebrate an important anniversary with another friendly country, Andorra: the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. I would like to emphasize that in recent years, Serbian-Spanish relations have been experiencing the best phase in their history to date.”
The ambassador wished to express “deep gratitude to Spain for its continued support of key priorities for Serbia: the defense of territorial integrity and sovereignty based on the fundamental principles of respect for international law, and support on our path towards integration into the European Union. Spain has always supported the progress of Serbia’s and our entire region’s integration into the European Union. Spain has demonstrated, and continues to demonstrate, not only that it is a sincere friend, but also that, as a country that has been a full member of the European Union for 40 years, it deeply understands the importance and benefits of membership in the European family for achieving progress in the area of substantial reforms in every European society. Spain does not condemn or seek justifications for new obstacles, but rather seeks to understand the specific characteristics of each candidate country and supports it on its European path. I would like to emphasize once again that membership in the European Union is the strategic priority of Serbia and of its foreign policy.”
“If we want to preserve international law and the basic principles of the Charter of the United Nations,” the ambassador continued, “we must apply the same principles to all cases. Current global challenges remind us of the need and obligation of all countries of the world, especially us diplomats, to consistently apply international law because it must be the same for everyone. The principle of the inviolability of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states of the United Nations must be absolute and unquestionable; it must be equal for all, it must be applied equally to all, without exception.”
Irena Sarac then referred to the upcoming Expo 2027 international exposition in Belgrade next year. “We are extremely proud,” she emphasized. “We believe this will be an exceptional opportunity not only to bring the economies of the participating countries closer together, but also to present and promote the market offerings of countries from all over the world.”
The Serbian ambassador took the opportunity to announce that “in addition to the five destinations to which Serbia already has direct flights -Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca- starting this year we will have three new destinations: Sevilla, Alicante and Tenerife.”
After highlighting the “successful Serbian-Spanish collaboration” in fields such as defense and law enforcement, Irena Sarac noted the “great contribution to the development and strengthening of Serbian-Spanish relations made by representatives of the Serbian community in Spain. Students, scientists, researchers, professors, doctors, experts in various fields, athletes, and artists,” among them.
The Defense Attaché of the Embassy, Colonel Dalibor Ogrizovic, then spoke, emphasizing the “courageous and disciplined character of the Serbian community.” The Serbian Army’s “plating” and his “declared love for the homeland.”
Finally, Nadja Ogrizovic, daughter of the military attaché, sang the patriotic song Tamo daleko to the excitement of all the Serbian citizens present at the reception.
