THE TOP STUDENTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF SERBIA AT THE WHITE PALACE
ANNUAL TRADITION

Belgrade, 21 June 2005 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine hosted a formal reception for the top 500 best students of secondary schools from all over Serbia at The White Palace this evening. The annual traditional reception was organized in cooperation with Ministry of Sport and Education with help of EFG Eurobank.

Beside the students, their parents and professors, President of the Serbian Assembly Mr. Predrag Markovic, HE Slobodan Vuksanovic, Minister of Education and Sport, Prof Dr Milos Djuran, President of the Serbian Universities Union and Rector of the University of Kragujevac, EFG Eurobank representatives as well as members of the Advisory Bodies of The Crown also attended the reception.

The Serbian Anthem “Boze Pravde” performed by the Choir “Obilic”, conducted by Prof Darinka Matic-Marovic, marked the beginning of the ceremony.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II warmly greeted the best students of Serbia:

“You are the future of Serbia. The future that guarantees better days for Serbia in Europe and part of the World. Your continued high education is now the main task for the country, for you and for us as well. We have to work together on that job. When we work together, we can be successful. Only team work gives results. Continue to be the part of the team, of the better motherland. Continue to be the best“, – pointed out the Crown Prince in his speech.

Beside His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine, Hereditary Prince Peter, Prince Filipe and Prince Alexander also extended their warmest congratulations to the students.

HE Slobodan Vuksanovic, Minister of sport and education also addressed to the students and emphasised that he is “proud to be in front of the 500 elite students of our country that travelled from all over Serbia to attend this magnificent reception”. His Excellency extended his gratitude to Their Royal Highnesses for organizing the reception.

Traditional the best high school graduates were financially supported by Eurobank EFG, continuing the lasting tradition of this bank in donating to young and successful people in Greece and the region. At the same time, this was another opportunity to underline strong relations between the Greek and Serbian people, that is now continuing in young generations. Eurobank EFG will continue to help the people of Serbia, and in next two years will give sevral million Euros for educational programs, health care and environment programs.