BUST OF LOUIS BARTHOU REVEALED AT FRENCH EMBASSY

Belgrade, 14 July 2009 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Philip and Mrs. Alison Andrews, attended a reception at the French Embassy today for the 14 July, Bastille Day, the French National Holiday, hosted by the Ambassador of France H.E Mr. Jean-François Terral and his wife.

A special ceremony was organized at the French Embassy to reveal the bust of Mr. Louis Barthou, the Foreign Minister of the Third Republic, who was tragically killed in 1934 during assassination of King Alexander I, grandfather of Crown Prince Alexander and great-grandfather of Prince Philip.

During the opening ceremony speeches were delivered by HE Mr. Jean-François Terral, HE Prime Minister Cvetkovic and HRH Crown Prince Alexander.

While addressing distinguished guests the Crown Prince emphasized: “We are gathered here today to pay our respect to a great statesman and great man, Louis Barthou. He was killed together with my grandfather, King Alexander, and at that moment he was not only Louis Barthou, he was France! And France is paying him respect today with this monument, which is a noble gesture worthy of France and worthy of Louis Barthou”.

The reception was very well attended by HE Mr. Ivica Dacic, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Affairs, HE Mr. Bozidar Djelic, Vice President for European Integrations and Minister of Science and Technological Development HE Dr. Zarko Obradovic, Minister of Education, HE Mr. Nebojsa Bradic, Minister of Culture, HE Mrs. Snezana Samardzic-Markovic Minister of Sport and Youth, as well as representatives of diplomatic corps, Serbian public and political figures, religious leaders and media representatives.