Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica received today the painter Vladimir Velickovic and congratulated him on his accession to the French Academy of Fine Arts. During the meeting Kostunica thanked Velickovic for his decades-long commitment to popularising Serbian culture in Europe and the world.
Stressing that this is the first time that someone from Serbia has become a member of the French Academy, Kostunica said that Velickovic's artistic contribution is an honour to the culture he has come from and to which he will always belong.
He said that the recognition that Velickovic has received in France is also a sign of respect to the tradition to which the great Serbian artist belongs.
Thanking the Prime Minister for the congratulations, Vladimir Velickovic said that he will continue to contribute to strengthening cultural relations between Serbia and France.
Serbian Minister of Culture Dragan Kojadinovic also took part in the meeting.