THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES IN KOSOVO

New donations and ambulances for the Health Centers in Gracanica and Kosovska Mitrovica

Belgrade, January 14, 2005 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine vsited Kosovo. After Holy Liturgy in Gracanica Monastery, Their Royal Highnesses delivered humanitarian help including food, clothes, shoes and a “Zastava 101” ambulance to the Health Center in Gracanica.

On behalf of the Gracanica Health Center and the staff Doctor Rada Trajkovic warmly welcomed Their Royal Highnesses, His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren, and the member of the Crown Council Prof. Dr. Dragoljub Kavran. She explained the serious health situation not only for Gracanica, but also for the places throughout the area, and plans for the centers’ services and providing aid to the patients. Dr. Trajkovic pointed out that this Health Center performs around 60 000 physical examinations per year. She expressed thanks to the Crown Prince and Princess for the great care they are showing for not only this Health Center, but also for the numerous hospitals in Serbia.

HRH Crown Princess Katherine addressed the present persons:

“My family and I are very proud of you, for all the strength you demonstrated in spite of all the problems that have befallen our people. You are the true heroes. I believe that your needs are bigger, but when one is in trouble, all help is welcomed. This is only a little contribution for your great deed during these difficult times and conditions in which you are working. You can be certain that we will be here for you and try to help you in the following period. I am certain that a better future is coming for all of us.”

Afterwards the Crown Princess and Princess visited Orahovac and Velika Hoca enclaves and delivered humanitarian help to the Church of Ascension of the Most Holy Mother of God. The Crown Princess showed a special interest for the living conditions of our people in this part of Serbia.

After Velika Hoca, HRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine visited Kosovska Mitrovica, where they were warmly greeted by the director of the Health Center Marko Jaksic with his closest associates. He expressed his thanks to Their Royal Highnesses for finding time despite the numerous obligations for visiting this Health Center and bringing such a valuable humanitarian help. Mr. Jaksic pointed out that the care of Their Royal Highnesses for our people on Kosovo, for their lives and health in these difficult times, serves as an encouragement to persevere.

HRH Crown Princess Katherine expressed hope that this help in form of food and clothes will be distributed to the ones who need it most, and that the “Zastava 101” ambulance vehicle will help the medical stuff in their daily fight for the human lives.

After that, the Crown Prince and Princess met the representatives of the Serbs from Kosovo, and listened to information about the difficult situation in this part of Serba, efforts of the Serbs towards staying on their native soil and they pointed out that today’s visit of Their Royal Highnesses fulfills them with hope that they are not forgotten. Representatives of the Institutions from Kosovska Mitrovica, Leposavic, Zvecani and Zubin Potok were present at this meeting.

Their Royal Highnesses also visited the Monastery of Banjsko. On behalf of fellowship of this monastery, Father Simeon welcomed Their Royal Highnesses and emphasized that today is a very happy day that will be remembered by this visit of TRH Crown Prince and Princess and their immeasurable kindness. He expressed his thanks to the royal couple in the name of the people who came to great them and in the name of the Monastery Brotherhood.

The Crown Prince and Princes delivered the humanitarian help to Monastery Banjsko with wishes to relieve the difficult life conditions of our people and of the clergy.

Over 10 tons of humanitarian help was distributed to Kosovo that included two “Zastava 101” ambulances. The humanitarian help was provided Lifeline Hellas Humanitarian Organization from Athens, whose patron is HRH Princess Katherine, as well from a large number of individuals, people with good will from Greece that expressed their wish to help the people in this part of Serbia.