STATEMENTS

STATEMENT by
THE OFFICE of

HRH CROWN PRINCE

A L E X A N D E R

Visit to the Clinical Centre of Serbia on 23^rd July, 2001

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine visited the Clinical Centre of Serbia in Belgrade earlier today. The Royal couple were welcomed by Professor Dr. Vojko Djukic, Director General, and his colleagues who briefed them on the situation at the hospital.

It was announced during the visit that the first shipment of humanitarian aid, valued at more than 4 million German marks, had just arrived. This shipment was organized by HRH Crown Princess Katherine through “Lifeline”, the humanitarian organisation whose founder and Patron is Princess Katherine. The shipment consists of vital drugs and medical supplies. Princess Katherine wants her humanitarian aid to be distributed throughout Serbia and to reach even the most remote villages where there is need. “This is the start of the humanitarian assistance that will be organized by our Belgrade office” Princess Katherine told journalists.

Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine were shown the First Surgical Hospital and the out patient department of the Clinical Centre of Serbia by their hosts. In a warm and open conversation with the doctors, patients and staff they learnt about the conditions in which the patients were cared for and the kind of help that is essential in the future. At times, the descriptions were very emotional and reduced Princess Katherine to tears.

At the end, the Director of the Clinical Centre, Professor Djukic, thanked them for their visit and the humanitarian aid received. He also expressed his wish, now that Prince Alexander and Princess Katherine were finally in their Homeland among their own people, that they would do everything in their power to help to improve quickly the desperate state of the health system.

Belgrade, 23 July 2001