President Pahor: "Mihajlo Pupin is an important historical personality who unites the Slovenian and Serbian nations"

President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, and President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikoliæ, today unveiled a monument to Mihajlo Pupin in Bled.

In his short address on the unveiling of the monument to Mihajlo Pupin, an important historical figure who bridges Slovenia and Serbia, President Pahor stressed that he believes in coexistence and peace and pointed out the duty of political leaders "to make every effort to promote these noble ideals".

"I do not know what the future will be like, but I know it will be better if we promote these ideals together," said the President of Slovenia and expressed his wish for the long and sincere friendship between the Slovenian and Serbian nations to continue. "My first official visit to Belgrade, which was in fact the first official visit of a Slovenian President to Serbia, and now the return visit of the Serbian President to Slovenia, are historical signs that we are opening a new chapter in which two sovereign countries are doing their best to strengthen all their ties for a good, safe and peaceful future for ourselves and our children." He expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the unveiling of the Mihajlo Pupin monument marks the end of a visit that gives new strength, motivation, initiative and inspiration for the successful future of both nations. "The past offers us many famous role models, but it is up to us to offer an opportunity to such role models as Mihajlo Pupin in the future," concluded the President of Slovenia.


Photo: Photo: Daniel Novakoviæ/STA

In his address at the unveiling ceremony, President Nikoliæ stressed that the common history of Slovenians and Serbians is full of important individuals who taught us to help one another, foster our friendship and persist in everything that we have in common and that brings us closer together.

Mihajlo Pupin, a renowned Serbian mathematician, physicist and inventor, attended the 1919 Paris Peace Conference; his efforts and personal commitment had a decisive influence on the future of the then Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. He became an honorary citizen of Bled already during his lifetime, as his persistence, diplomatic skills, energy and firm respect that he enjoyed in the international community had helped Slovenia preserve a part of its territory. Due to him, a considerable part of the Julian Alps and the valleys at their feet now belong to Slovenia.