Vladeta Jankovic, left, and Alessandro Merola
Merola pointed out that Jankovic has been granted this award because of his exceptional involvement in initiatives of the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Centre.
Having great knowledge of Italian culture, Jankovic has advocated expansion of relations between Serbia and Italy on political and cultural levels, the Italian Ambassador said.
Jankovic said he was touched and filled with pride because of this great honour and stressed that Italy today is certainly one of Serbia’s closest and most reliable allies.
Vojislav Kostunica
He pointed out that seldom in their history have political, economic and cultural relations between Serbia and Italy been on such a high level.
It is particularly precious to us that Italy, being an influential world power and Contact Group member, has shown a deep understanding of Serbia’s position regarding Kosovo-Metohija, Jankovic noted.
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and President of the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE) Umberto Vattani also attended the ceremony.
Kostunica pointed to excellent cooperation with Italian ambassadors in Serbia as well as with Italian officials in Rome.