First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dačić attended today the enthronement of Bishop of Slavonia Jovan in the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in Pakrac.

Solemn Liturgy, served by Serbian Patriarch Irinej, was also attended by senior church officials of the Catholic Church and other churches and religious communities, political figures from Croatia, Serbia and the Republic of Srpska.

Minister Dačić said on this occasion that the Serbian Orthodox Church was one of the most important pillars and assembly centers of the Serbian people all over the world.

"The great importance of the Serbian Orthodox Church for the preservation of spiritual, national and cultural heritage and identity of the Serbs in Croatia", Dačić said, recalling that among the foreign policy priorities of Serbia, special importance was given to the improvement of relations with its neighbours, especially with the states which have emerged out of the former Yugoslavia.

"The relations between Serbia and Croatia should be based on trust and shared interests and values. The building of good relations between Serbia and Croatia is a key factor for the stabilization and development of the entire region", Dačić stated.