PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE ROYAL COMPOUND FOR VISITORS

Belgrade, 10 September 2004.- HRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine in co-operation with Tourist Organization of Serbia and Tourist Organization of Belgrade, have today organized a press conference on the occasion of the opening of The Royal Compound for visitors.

With Their Royal Highnesses, at the press conference, were present H.E. Minister of Finance, H.E. Minister of Trade, Tourism and Services, H.E. Minister of Culture, Deputy President of the City Government, representatives of the Tourist Organization of Serbia and Belgrade, and the National Museum.

The present guests and journalists were welcomed by HRH Crown Prince who emphasized that this was a great day made possible by help of the Ministry of Finance and efforts of the Tourist Organizations of Serbia and Belgrade.

H.E. Mladjen Dinkic, Minister of Finance, expressed his pleasure that this great project was financed by the Government of Serbia and invited all the people, not only from our country but from all over the world, to visit this unique place.

H.E. Bojan Dimitrijevic, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Services, spoke about significance of the opening of the Royal Compound for the development of tourism, not only in Belgrade but in Serbia as well. H.E. Dragan Kojadinovic, Minister of Culture, emphasized that The Royal Compound was opened for visitors thanks to great efforts of Their Royal Highnesses, he also announced more activities in promoting this unique pearl of our cultural and historic heritage.

The first official tours of The Royal Compound, as part of regular visits, will start to-morrow, Saturday, September 11, to mark “Days of European Heritage”. The Royal Compound will be opened for visitors as part of “Days of European Heritage” and all the information can be found through the Tourist Organization of Belgrade.(www.tob.co.yu)