RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE PREVENTION OF CERVICAL CANCER

Belgrade, 19 July 2007 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine, and Prince Alexander hosted a reception this evening at the White Palace in honour of the campaign for the prevention of cervical cancer.

The campaign to raise the awareness in women in relation to the need for preventive medical check-ups for cervical cancer was initiated by the Foundation of Princess Katherine in cooperation with the Hello! Magazine now published in Serbia.

Hello! Magazine originated from the Spanish weekly Hola! and is published in 11 local editions (Spain, Great Britain, Russia, Turkey, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Canada, India, Malaysia, and Mexico) and is exported to 60 countries worldwide.

This event was attended by representatives of the Government of Serbia, diplomatic corps, Belgrade City Hall, academic community, members of the advisory bodies of the Crown and the Royal Medical Board, directors and representatives of leading banks, companies and international organizations in Serbia, many public personalities, and great and well known benefactors and humanitarian activists, as well as the associates of the Foundation of Princess Katherine.

Crown Prince Alexander spoke on the behalf of the Royal Family, wished everyone a warm welcome to the White Palace, and in his speech he said:

“In our country, a large number of women, potential mothers, fall ill from cervical cancer. Unfortunately, many of them lose their lives, even though this illness is not incurable. That is why it is very important that as many people, relevant institutions and media as possible can join together and influence the society for the benefit of the health of future mothers, without whom Serbia has no future”.

The Crown Prince thanked our friends at the Color Press Group, who accepted to be the associates in the initiating of this campaign of the Foundation of his wife Crown Princess Katherine, and called upon all media to join in.

Mr. Robert Coban addressed the present on behalf of the employees of the Color Press Group and the Hello! Magazine, and pointed out that he is especially proud of the fact that Serbia is the first country of Eastern Europe, with the exception of Russia, which got the license for Hello!.

“I am deeply convinced that only socially responsible companies which take care of their environment and the problems of the population can count on a stable progress”, Mr. Coban pointed out.

In Serbia, cervical cancer is at the top of the causes of death of women, right after breast cancer. Annually, in Serbia, 1,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer; while in 2005 alone, 846 women died as a result of this mean illness.

Following the ceremony the speeches were delivered by Dr. Dimitri Segedi, President of the working group, part of the Ministry of Health for cervical cancer prevention, Mrs. Sally Cartwright, representative of Hello Limited UK and Miss Alexandra Kovac, distinguished musician and winner of the MTV award.