Postage stamps on the occasion of 60 years of friendship with Algeria

Also, in cooperation with the Embassy of Algeria and the Association of Friends of Algeria, an exhibition of Algerian philately and an exhibition of paintings by the Serbian-Algerian artist Adel Fares have been opened.

Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs, Mr. Milan Milanović has conveyed the message of Mr. Nikola Selaković, in which he said that it is an extraordinary honour that the two countries celebrate the anniversary together.   

He has reminded of Serbia's support in Algeria's fight for independence, and of numerous individuals from our country such as cameraman Stevan Labudović.

“These historical truths represent the foundation of our unbreakable past, present and future ties, and a bright example for the coming generations of both sides,” Mr. Milanović said, conveying the message of the Minister Selaković.

Mr. Milanović, conveying the Minister's message, has said that these historic struggles continue today in a new way and in new trials, and that Serbia thanks Algeria for its unreserved support for our sovereignty and integrity and, as he has said, for the principled struggle to preserve the international order.

“We can hope that our joint activities of the new age will enable further continuation of quality and close and productive relations in the future,” Mr. Milanović said.  

He has added that the intensification of dialogue between our countries is one of the priorities, and that Minister Nikola Selaković is willing to visit friendly Algeria.

Mr. Milanović has also reminded of our invitation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, Ramtan Lamamra, to make an official visit to Serbia.

Acting director of PE Post of Serbia, Mr. Zoran Djordjević, has congratulated the ambassador of Algeria on 60 years since independence, and added that issuing a commemorative stamp to mark such historical events, as he has said, is the least the state can do considering the great friendship between Serbia and Algeria.   

“I am sure that the struggle of the Algerian people for independence and the Serbian people who directly and indirectly participated in that struggle, with a large number of our people who were there, is the fact that that struggle was correct and led to the fact that today we have one country on to the African continent which is strong and developed, which represents one of the most developed countries on the African continent on the one hand, and on the other hand a great friend of Serbia and a great collaborator of Serbia in such difficult times,” Mr. Djordjević said.

He has added that the presentation of this stamp shows that the Post of Serbia stands where the state stands, and that, as he has said, proves that friendship between Serbia and Algeria exists.

Mr. Djordjević has expressed his belief that this friendship will be even stronger in the future.

The Ambassador of Algeria to Serbia, Mr. Fatah Mahraz, has expressed his exceptional gratitude to the Post of Serbia for the commemorative issue of the stamp. He has added that the exhibition of paintings is an example of the fusion of these two cultures, because the artist's parents are Serbian woman and Algerian man. 

He has thanked the director of the Post Office, Mr. Zoran Djordjević, for the space of the Postal Museum provided for organising the Algerian philatelic exhibition and the exhibition of the painter Faris, and recalled the beginning of the friendship between these two countries and the help of the Serbian people in the Algerian struggle for independence.

“This friendship was conceived during the liberation struggle of the Algerian people against French colonialism, and I remind you of the multiple help that the Serbian people provided to the Algerian people in their struggle for independence. This active solidarity will remain forever engraved in the hearts and memories of all Algerians,” Mr. Mahraz said.

Diplomatic relations between Serbia and Algeria were established immediately after the referendum on the independence of Algeria, which was held on 1 July 1962, and the decision to open an Algerian embassy was made by the then Yugoslav authorities on 2 July 1962.

The formal decision on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed on 3 July of the same year. Yugoslavia was the first European country to recognise the provisional government of Algeria and the first to contribute to the independence of that country.

Source: Tanjug

Photo: Dragan Kujundžić