Grand Welcome for Vladimir Putin in Serbia : Meets Patriarch, President and Prime Minister

October 2014

President of the Russian Federation visited today Belgrade, where he met with President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic and Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. Serbian Patriarch Irenaeus and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin met today at the Palace Serbia in Belgrade, in front of which the military parade had been held on the occasion of the centennial since the beginning of the World War One and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, in the Second World War.

At the Belgrade’s airport Nikola Tesla President Putin was welcomed by President Nikolic. Then two presidents went to the New Cemetery, where they placed wreaths at the Monument to the Liberators of Belgrade.

At the ceremony at the Palace Serbia President Nikolic decorated President Putin with the Order of the Republic of Serbia. On this occasion the highest state officials signed several important bilateral agreements.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade in the Second World War, the military parade “Victorious Step” was held. The program began with the solemn ceremonial artillery, after which President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin held addresses. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian Patriarch Irineaeus, as well as many officials of these two countries and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

The program was continued with landing of 30 paratroopers, in the wider area of the monument “Eternal Fire” between Nikola Tesla Blvd. and the Danube.

Thereupon there was a solemn parade of the SAF, with Chief of General Staff of the SAF, General Ljubisa Dikovic at the helm. Besides the ceremonial stage infantry, aviation and mechanized echelons and the River flotilla of the Serbian Armed Forces marched. Also Russia’s air force team Strizhy (Swifts) performed.

Photos: Deacon Dragan Tanasijevic, Deacon Aleksandar Sekulic

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