On 18 February this year, a ceremonial reception was held in Warsaw to mark the National Day and Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Serbia.
The host of the event was H.E. Ambassador Nebojša Košutić, who welcomed numerous representatives of the Polish authorities, the diplomatic corps, the military, business and cultural circles, as well as members of the Serbian diaspora.
The ceremony took place in the representative interiors of the Zepter building in Warsaw – an elegant venue combining historic architecture with a modern character. The event brought together a wide range of distinguished guests, underlining the importance of Polish–Serbian relations and the significance of the occasion being celebrated.
In his address, H.E. Ambassador Nebojša Košutić referred to the historical foundations of Serbian statehood, recalling the anniversary of the adoption of Serbia’s first modern constitution and the outbreak of the First Serbian Uprising.
– Today is one of the milestones on the long road to freedom, independence and democracy that the Serbian nation has had to travel throughout its history – the Ambassador emphasised.
He noted that although Serbia’s history has been marked by numerous challenges and sacrifices, the country embraced the principles of constitutionalism, the rule of law and national sovereignty at an early stage of its development.
A special place in the speech was devoted to Polish–Serbian relations. The Ambassador recalled the historical bonds linking the two nations – from the figure of Zawisza Czarny, who died on Serbian soil, to the engagement of Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski in Serbian affairs in the 19th century.
– Our two European and Slavic nations are connected by strong ties reaching far into the past – he said. – Despite the geographical distance, we have managed to build friendly and mutually beneficial relations in many fields of cooperation.
The Ambassador also highlighted the dynamic development of economic contacts. Today, Poland ranks among Serbia’s ten most important trading partners, with annual trade turnover exceeding €2 billion. The intensification of high-level political dialogue and cooperation between entrepreneurs from both countries gives grounds for optimism about the future.
An important theme of the speech was Serbia’s European perspective.
– Full membership of the European Union, maintaining stability and further economic growth remain key objectives of our policy – H.E. Nebojša Košutić stressed.
He underlined that Serbia is consistently implementing the reforms necessary for European integration, while also pointing to the strategic importance of decisions concerning the future of the entire Western Balkans region within EU structures.
H.E. Nebojša Košutić also addressed the issue of territorial integrity and the role of international law, emphasising that for smaller states, its consistent application constitutes a fundamental guarantee of security and stability.
In the context of the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Serbia, he highlighted the principle of military neutrality as the foundation of the country’s security policy. As he noted, the Serbian armed forces perform a dual role – they guarantee national defence while also actively participating in UN and EU peacekeeping missions, thereby building international trust..
Agnieszka Kowalska, Director of the European Policy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, also took the floor. She emphasised the importance Poland attaches to the development of relations with the Republic of Serbia, both bilaterally and in the context of Belgrade’s European aspirations. She pointed to growing economic cooperation and political dialogue as the foundation for further rapprochement between the two countries.
The event also provided an opportunity to present Serbia’s economic potential. In his speech, the Ambassador highlighted stable economic growth, the dynamic development of the IT sector, and the organisation of EXPO 2027 in Belgrade – the first international exhibition of this kind in the history of the Western Balkans region.
The ceremony was held at the headquarters of Zepter International – a renowned international company founded nearly 40 years ago by Philippe Zepter, an entrepreneur of Serbian origin. The representative interiors of the building provided a fitting setting for a celebration that underscored both Serbia’s traditions and its modern aspirations.
The reception took place in an atmosphere of cordiality and openness, encouraging discussions on the further deepening of Polish–Serbian cooperation.
Ada Krzewicka
