First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dačić opened tonight an exhibition entitled "Notes of turbulent times" at Princess Ljubica's Residence and gave the following speech on the occasion:

"Your Excellency,
Mrs. Korićanac,
Mr. Pavlović,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my honour and pleasure to address you at the opening of this very interesting and important exhibition, whose title indicates in a specific way the relations that existed between our two countries and peoples in a historically critical period for all of us and Europe in general. The very architecture of the building housing this exhibition, which was built on prince Milos Obrenovic's orders, to serve as residence of his spouse, princess Ljubica, is the reflection of Serbia and belongs to the Balkan style with Western elements.

I need not recall that over centuries, our relations and ties have been influenced by the fact that the Serbs lived in the territories of the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire or in between them. In the late 17th century, at the invitation of emperor Leopold I, Serbs sided with the Austrians against the Turks, which, due to the changed fortunes in the war, resulted in the First Serb Exodus of 1690 and later on, because of their heroism and reliability and also because of their significance for the Monarchy, they were accorded privileges by emperor Leopold I, guaranteeing their signed-in-law status, church and school autonomy and the right of jurisdiction for the Serbian Head of Church in secular matters.

Serbs were also part of the Austro-Hungarian army to which they gave 16 generals in the two centuries alone. Karageorge joined the Austrian army led by general von Laudon in the battle of Belgrade in 1879. To Karageorge it was a battle to liberate Belgrade. Famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart dedicated a large portion of his Requiem to this military campaign.

From the time of Serbian settlement of the Monarchy in the 18th century, even trade ties began to emerge: first Serb merchants came to Vienna and the imperial capital was increasingly inhabited by Serbs. According to historian Mito Kostić, "Vienna became a truly ethnically diverse capital, comprising many nations of the Habsburg Monarchy", and among these ethnic communities there were Serbs as well. It was precisely from those times onwards, from the Great Serb Exodus and their resettlement in the Monarchy to the tragedy caused by the First World War, the influence and contribution of the Habsburg Monarchy to the rapprochement, acceptance and spread of Western European cultures persisted among the Serbs.

Vienna became a kind of a centre for the education of many Serbs, as presented at this exhibition too; some of the most famous Serbs like Dositej Obradovic, Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic lived in it. To the latter, Vienna was the point of departure in his tireless and uncompromising struggle for the Serbian language. These individuals were followed by other celebrated Serbs: Djura Danicic, Branko Radicevic, Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj, Djura Jaksic, Uros Predic, Paja Jovanovic, Kornelije Stankovic, Anastas Jovanovic and many others. It is also important to note that all these famous Serbs contributed to the strengthening of ties and promotion of relations between the two nations, and to an apparently ascending line in our relations, through their works, knowledge, vast experience or influence. Back in 1836 Austria sent its envoy to Serbia, and the two countries established their diplomatic relations in 1874. It was exactly in the period covered by this exhibition that our mutual relations became better, more inclusive and improved, while the Austrian influence increased.

Unfortunately, the political influence exercised at the end of the first and the beginning of the second decade of the twentieth century contributed to tension and rivalry in Serbian-Austrian relations, and the two countries at some critical historical points for us were at the opposing sides. The turbulent period of their relations at the turn of two centuries culminated after the Sarajevo assassination. Apart from the well-known epilogue, this event created the majority of negative stereotypes about the Serbs in Austrian public opinion that have, regrettably, continued into the present.

Austria has been supportive all these years of the EU expansion to the Western Balkans, and at the same time provided its assistance and support to the Republic of Serbia in the implementation of its strategic goal of becoming a full member of the European Union.

Austria is now the largest investor in the Serbian economy with more than 3 million euro worth of investments, creating jobs for some 20,000 workers and over 400 Austrian companies have established their operations in Serbia. The Serbian market and goods are becoming attractive for the Austrian business, and I believe that the embraced and projected reforms of the Serbian Government designed to revitalize the country's economy and improve the investment environment and business climate will serve as an encouragement for increased Austrian interest in doing business and investing in Serbia.

Today, one hundred years after these relations hit the bottom-line I can note with satisfaction that the relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Austria are at a very high level, stable and comprehensive. We have a regular and constructive dialogue conducted at the top and high levels, as well as a very good economic cooperation. I am confident that our countries will continue to promote their relations in the mutual interest and for the benefit of their citizens, and that European values will continue to bring us together, since Serbia is part of the European family of nations.

Thank you for your attention."