Interview with HRH Crown Prince Alexander II

WE CAME TO GIVE, NOT TO TAKE

1. Your Royal Highness, how do You see Your role in Serbia and Yugoslavia?

My dream was always to come back home. I see myself as someone who finally came home to his roots and wishes to contribute to the good of our country. I had the luck or rather the misfortune to live abroad and have much to learn about our country, but still I feel I have much to contribute and share from my life abroad.

2. How did people accept You? What are Your impressions about life in Serbia?

Everyone has been wonderful to me and my family and we have been very warmly welcomed home. I have had the pleasure to travel throughout our country quite a lot and have very positive impressions. I am proud of the diversity of country, its multi ethnicity and religious diversity. I am proud to respect everyone. Life has not been easy for our citizens and I have witnessed the hardship our people face in their daily life. It is tough and I have sympathy for everyone.

3. Are You familiar with the way of how „ordinary” people live?

Of course I am familiar as I witness the tragic situation our people face and endure during my trips. My wife tries very hard to help with her humanitarian foundation and I only wish we could harness more resources to alleviate the poverty and suffering.

4. By Your opinion, after the 5th of October: what were important things that happened, and what else should be done?

The most important thing that happened was the dawn of democracy, but at what price? We lost over a decade and suffered dramatically. If only we could have become a democracy back in 1989. Today we are a new democracy and have a tremendous amount of work to do make sure that everyone will benefit from democracy, but it is real tough as we have not received the aid we deserve and we suffer from the lack of unity, organization and planning. Our citizens deserve the best in social services and health care, but only a revived economy will contribute to the cost of such good benefits. Today the world is in a poor economic state and we have been thrown into that situation.

5. What would be the „therapy” for this negative economic situation?

We must cut out the political inner fighting and focus on reforms, image making and public relations abroad. It means working together and not against each other. It means respecting all citizens regardless of their political beliefs or personal views. It means respecting human rights. Everyone is important in our country and the politicians must work together and not look behind them. We must be truthful. All citizens must clearly understand the objectives of economic and political reforms.

6. Do You have contact with other Royal Families around the world? Who, among the Royalties, is good example, by Your opinion?

Yes I have contact with many Royal Families and many people. I admire King Juan Carlos very much.

7. Who would You choose from Your Dynasty?

King Peter I

8. Are You looking forward to restoration of the Monarchy? What are the advantages of that form of state?

I believe that constitutional monarchy is a good solution for our country as it will guarantee democracy, provide stability, unity and continuity. In a constitutional monarch the monarch reigns and the government rules. The advantages are excellent as the prime minister will not face the current problems we have. The task of the democratically elected government will be made easier as in Spain, Japan, Norway, Holland, Canada etc.

9. Is there a possibility that ex Yugoslavian Republic (today separate States) politically reunite again?

We must respect each other and have open borders like in the European Union. We need each other economically to survive, but the only form of unity will be eventually under the umbrella of the European Union.

10. What is Your opinion on new association of Serbia and Montenegro?

Confusing and frustrating. I am certain that our citizens want to get on with life and the prospect of having jobs. The sooner our politicians sort things out with the minimal amount of delay we will then be able to get on with our lives.

11. Do you have contact with national minorities and all religious groups in our country?

Yes I do and I have had the pleasure of visiting many of them and maintaining contact with them. A great nation is one that respects all its citizens and one where everyone has equal rights.

12. What do You thing about newly formed „ National Councils” (among them Hungarian national council was the first one formed in autumn last year)?

This is a matter of choice and the people’s choice must be respected.

13. Which role should Hungarian national minority in Vojvodina have

The Hungarian minority must have equal rights just as all citizens must have and the total right to lead their lives in full freedom. Without the richness of our minorities we would be a poorer country.

14. Your family became the main initiator of humanitarian activities in our country. Can You tell us more about it?

I am very proud of my wife and her valiant humanitarian work. Katarina has worked hard and so has her foundation. I am proud that all citizens are respected regardless of religion of ethnic origin. Many times I have joined Katarina on her trips across our country to deliver aid, but there is so much more that has be done.

15. At the end of this interview on behalf of the readers, I would ask Your Royal Highness about Your family. How did You experience the return in Your Homeland? When Your sons did came in Yugoslavia last time and are they planning to come and stay here after their studies?

It was an emotional experience coming back home and particularly to the house of one’s grandfather and father. The first few nights in the palace were emotional. I am glad that Peter, Philip and Alexander did not have to wait as long as I did to come and live with our people. I am sad that my father did experience the pleasure of coming back home, he was very homesick. The boys must finish their universities and job experience. The boys were last here for the holidays and they are happy to come home when they have time off, but they must work too.