CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER AWARDS SERBIA’S TOP 500 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
AT WHITE PALACE CEREMONY

Belgrade, 21 June 2010 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II hosted today at the White Palace the traditional annual awarding ceremony for Serbia’s 500 best scholars from all the secondary schools in Serbia.

At the ceremony, speeches were delivered by HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, Prof. Dr. Neda Bokan, Vice Rector of Belgrade University, Mr. Philippos S. Karamanolis, President of the Board of Eurobank EFG, Mr. Slavko Vranes, famous basketball player and the programme was led by the famous Serbian actor and mime player Marko Stojanovic.

The ceremony was also attended by His Grace Bishop Atanasije of Hvostano, Mr. Muamer ef. Zukorlic, Grand Mufti of Islamic Community in Serbia, members of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Mr. Stephen Wordsworth, Ambassador of the United Kingdom, H.E. Mr. Clemens Koja, Ambassador of Austria, H.E. Mr. Wolfram Maas, Ambassador of Germany, H.E. Mr. Viktor Nedopas, Ambassador of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Stoidis Demosthenes, Ambassador of Greece, H.E. Mr. Vincent Degert, Head of delegation of the European Commission in Serbia, members of the Advisory Bodies of the Crown, representatives of the Universities of Nis, Novi Sad and Kragujevac, donors of the Prince Alexander’s Foundation for Education as well as students who had received scholarships for Nottingham University in the United Kingdom, from Crown Prince Alexander’s Foundation for Education, in cooperation with the Fund for Young Talents of the Government of Serbia.

The Crown Prince in his speech thanked Eurobank EFG that sponsored this event and congratulated the pupils for their achievement. The Crown Prince especially addressed the pupils and emphasized: “Your further education is the main goal for the country and all of us. Our foundation for education is going to help pupils in the future in the same way in order to make the best experts which this country deserves “.

Mr. Philippos S. Karamanolis, President of the Executive Board of Eurobank EFG stated: “We are proud to continue our cooperation with the Crown Prince Alexander Foundation for Education for a 5th consecutive year, with initiatives aimed at recognizing and encouraging the most promising of Serbia’s youth. From the beginning of our operations in Serbia, Eurobank EFG defined education as one of the most important pillars of our corporate social responsibility activities. We have a long -term business interest in Serbia and believe that it is crucial to recognize young talents and encourage their development, because this way we are investing in the future of the country.”

Slavko Vranes, famous Serbian basketball player said: “You are the best students in Serbia, the intellectual elite, and you already know the importance of good education. It is the only thing that nobody could take away from you. Stay perceptive for new ideas and never stop learning – from your family, friends, teachers at high school, and soon at the universities you would choose … and you could get many useful advices and lessons from each of them.”

For several years His Royal Highness has given commendations to the top pupils of all the secondary schools in Serbia, who have worked hard to achieve the highest marks during their secondary school education. Every secondary school in Serbia chose a best pupil who received a commendation and appropriate gifts.

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine extended their gratitude to the volunteers for their great support in organizing this event, as well as to the students from the High School for Tourism from Novi Sad and Belgrade, Bakery Trpkovic and Klas, Squadra, Dessert Cacak, Coca Cola, Vujic Water, Videx company, Mesopromet Pancevo, Energodata.