CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER AWARDS SERBIA’S TOP 500 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AT WHITE PALACE CEREMONY

Belgrade, 20 June 2011 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine and Prince Philip hosted today at the White Palace the traditional annual awarding ceremony for Serbia’s 500 best scholars from all the secondary schools in Serbia.

At the ceremony, speeches were delivered by HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, Prof. Dr. Branko Kovacevic, Rector of Belgrade University, Mr. Matija Beckovic, member of the Crown Council and Mr. Philippos S. Karamanolis, President of the Board of Eurobank EFG, while the program was led by Mrs. Natasa Jeremic, famous Serbian anchor and wife of the Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vuk Jeremic.

The ceremony was also attended by Mrs. Alison Andrews and Michael Garfinkel, daughter and grandson of the Crown Princess, His Grace Bishop Atanasije of Hvostano, Mr. Isak Asiel, the Great Rabbi of Serbia, representatives of Islamic community of Serbia, members of the Advisory Bodies of the Crown, representatives of the University of Kragujevac, members of the Board of the Prince Alexander’s Foundation for Education as well as students who received scholarships for Nottingham University in the United Kingdom, from Crown Prince Alexander’s Foundation for Education.

The Crown Prince in his speech thanked Eurobank EFG for sponsoring this event and congratulated the pupils for their achievement. The Crown Prince especially addressed the pupils and emphasized: “Your further education is the main goal for the country and all of us. Our foundation for education is going to help pupils in the future in the same way in order to make the best experts which this country deserves“.

Prof. Dr Branko Kovacevic, rector of Belgrade University congratulated all awarded students emphasizing that it is very important that they continue with their education as well as to use that gained knowledge in the development of their country, Serbia.

Mr. Philippos S. Karamanolis, President of the Executive Board of Eurobank EFG stated: “We are very proud of our cooperation with the Foundation of HRH Crown Prince Alexander for Education for six years now. I would like to congratulate all the graduates on their exeptional results and to tell them that commitment and devotion are always rewarded regardless of the field you choose in life“.

For several years His Royal Highness has given commendations to the top pupils of all the secondary schools in Serbia, who have worked hard to achieve the highest marks during their secondary school education. Every secondary school in Serbia chose a best pupil who received a commendation and appropriate gifts.

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine extended their gratitude to the volunteers for their great support in organizing this event, as well as to the students from the High School for Tourism from Novi Sad and Belgrade, Coca Cola Hellenic Serbia Bakery Trpkovic, Toma and Todorovic, Stork, Skara and Energodata.