Today, at the National Assembly House, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia received 206 high-school students from the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja – scholarship recipients of the Serbian Government’s Coordination Body for the south of Serbia. Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government Milan Markovic and deputy Riza Halimi also spoke at the reception.

Djukic-Dejanovic expressed her belief that having received the scholarships, the high-school students would be able to invest more into themselves and gaining knowledge, thus helping the communities they come form. “What these scholarships mean, and which cannot be bought, is far more important than the money itself, which will surely prove useful. Dear students, may these scholarships by the Republic of Serbia be a recognition that will inspire you at this, the most beautiful period of your lives, to study, grow in intelligence and virtue, to love both the familiar and the different because it will make you better people and good citizens”, said the Speaker.

“The National Assembly has long ago opened its doors to everyone who might want to visit”, said the Speaker emphasising her belief that some of the high schoolers might one day occupy the assembly’s benches.

“In the years to come, I hope the stars will rub your knees”, wished the Speaker.

Minister Markovic pointed out that the state tries to invest most of its energy into the young people and stressed that they should not be slaves to the past, but that the future depends on them.

Deputy Riza Halimi said that by visiting the NARS House the high-school students experienced some of the atmosphere in the society and state which would serve them well in their future life and work.

Dafina Aliu spoke on the behalf of the high-school students, thanking the hosts for the opportunity to visit the National Assembly House and highlighting her certainty that some of the high schoolers present would occupy the parliamentary benches.