National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia / Activities / Activity details
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
National Assembly Speaker at Conference "The Edict of Milan: Celebrating Religious Liberty in Europe and Across the World"
Today, the National Assembly Speaker, MA Nebojsa Stefanovic, addressed the European Parliament at the conference titled "The Edict of Milan: Celebrating Religious Liberty in Europe and Across the World".
Distinguished Members of the European Parliament,
Your Excellencies, Religious Dignitaries,
Honourable Mr Surján,
Let me start by saying how pleased I am to participate at a conference dedicated to an important jubilee, both for my country and a large part of the world today.
I would specially like to extend my appreciation and gratitude to Mr Surján, Vice President of the European Parliament, for the initiative to organise this conference.
It gives me great honour to be in the European Parliament today and take part in the Conference dedicated to religious freedoms that are the cornerstone of every democratic society. This event is one in a series of events organised to mark the 1700th anniversary of the day Constantine the Great signed the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religions tolerance throughout the Roman Empire.
Constantine the Great was born on the territory of present-day Serbia, in the City of Nis. He was the progenitor of a new era that saw the development of religious freedoms, part and parcel of fundamental human rights. 1700th anniversary of the signing of the Edict of Milan will be marked by numerous events in his home town and other places in Serbia throughout 2013.
I would also like you to note that 16 Roman Emperors were born on the territory of present-day Serbia. Only more Emperors were born on the territory of ancient Rome, and nowhere else in Europe. We take great pride in that, and especially the fact that the person who has signed this important European document was born on the soil where Serbs have lived for centuries. We are also proud that this year we mark this important anniversary with you. It brings us back to the times of the decline of the Roman Empire and a rise of a new civilisation that, thanks to the vision of Constantine the Great, we all belong to.
As the Latin proverb goes: history is the teacher of life. There is no doubt that at the beginning of this millennium a European man has learned an important lesson form history: Decisive and crucial historical events occur in a cyclic pattern. Events from history do not repeat, however, we are constantly faced with old questions and risks and new heroes who are up to the challenge are born. The time of the Constantine the Great was not an easy time, not for the rulers and not for the people. The power could have been lost over night, and the people would remain unprotected from advancing powerful armies, economic difficulties and natural disasters.
Even though he lived in turbulent times, Constantine the Great stayed in power much longer than any of his predecessors, because he was willing to take actions that will make him immortal. The Edict of tolerance, which he sighed in 313 in the vicinity of present-day Milan, is just the last in a line of similar documents of the time. However, edicts before Constantine did not have neither power nor vision to change the social order and the world form the roots, create conditions that will allow people in the centuries to come to develop their potentials in accordance with the basic principles of a contemporary society – free will and the freedom of choice.
Constantine did not just sign a document. He used the power of his will and uncompromised decisiveness to force its contemporaries to respect and implement what had been signed. His epochal pledge, that was weaved into the Edict of Milan – “everyone should believe as his heart wishes” is at the basis of all religious and civil freedoms up until the present days. One has the impression that this liberal massage that reconciles civilisations, and is truly ingenious, is embedded in the very foundations of our modern European culture and humanity.
Dear colleagues,
It gives me great pleasure to be given the opportunity to speak in the European Parliament today about how Serbia is pursuing and holding on to the ideas of Constantine the Great. Fundamental human rights and liberties are guaranteed by the Constitution that also grants every citizen a right to freely choose, enjoy religious freedoms and practice their religion without discrimination.
The present-day Serbia is fully committed to pursuing the path towards the membership in the European Union, as it is one of our country's key foreign policy priorities. All major parliamentary parties have the same interests.
The National Assembly is eager to intensify the exchange of experiences and best practices both with the European Parliament and the national parliaments of member states. By intensifying the cooperation we are improving the quality of life of all people in Serbia. With our commitment and actions we want to step up the process of European integration, consolidate the basic pillars of democracy and peace and focus on the economic development, prosperity and further promotion of human rights.
By working together with our friends from the European Union in numerous fields that are vital for the lives of our citizens, we are sending a clear signal to our partners in the EU that Serbia is creating an attractive, stable and predictable environment, ready to meet the needs of developed countries. As parliamentarians we are committed to promoting parliamentary cooperation, and in that light, we are cooperating with other parliaments in our region on the harmonisation of legislation and are taking common positions and actions before European institutions, particularly in those domains that are going to provide our citizens with a better quality of life and stability in our region. We are looking forward to Croatia becoming a full member of the EU on the 1st of July 2013, as it is important not only for our neighbour but also for the whole region of South-East Europe.
Dear colleagues, I would like to take this opportunity to underline that Serbia is fully committed to the European path and that the role of parliament as crucial on this path. While we await for the start of our accession negotiations and are striving to provide a better life for our citizens, it is important to be consistent and stay on the track of reforms fully convinced that the path of democracy, prosperity, social development, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is the path that has no alternative and, I will not be mistaken if I say, that the path was paved by Constantine the Great himself.
In conclusion, allow me to cite the very words of the Emperor Constantine: "No one should be forced to observe religion …. no one whatsoever should be denied the opportunity to give his heart to the observance of the religion which he should think best for himself…. any one who wishes to observe religion may do so freely and openly, without molestation… no one is to be restrained to act in accordance with his convictions alone or in associations with others… Let every one try to save his soul as his soul desires ….all men should be immune from coercion. Prosperity of an individual and the whole society, can be reached throughout, by and only with peace".
These words remind us of the fundamental principle of tolerance and respect for different religions and confessions that we usually associate with the development of modern world. Sometimes, we just need to remind ourselves of these wise words and be inspired and start thinking and acting on inspired thoughts.
We should understand that we are united in our differences and that we all belong to one family. My people have the strong feeling of belonging to the family of European nations and a dream that this feeling of belonging will soon become a reality.
Thank you!
Your Excellencies, Religious Dignitaries,
Honourable Mr Surján,
Let me start by saying how pleased I am to participate at a conference dedicated to an important jubilee, both for my country and a large part of the world today.
I would specially like to extend my appreciation and gratitude to Mr Surján, Vice President of the European Parliament, for the initiative to organise this conference.
It gives me great honour to be in the European Parliament today and take part in the Conference dedicated to religious freedoms that are the cornerstone of every democratic society. This event is one in a series of events organised to mark the 1700th anniversary of the day Constantine the Great signed the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religions tolerance throughout the Roman Empire.
Constantine the Great was born on the territory of present-day Serbia, in the City of Nis. He was the progenitor of a new era that saw the development of religious freedoms, part and parcel of fundamental human rights. 1700th anniversary of the signing of the Edict of Milan will be marked by numerous events in his home town and other places in Serbia throughout 2013.
I would also like you to note that 16 Roman Emperors were born on the territory of present-day Serbia. Only more Emperors were born on the territory of ancient Rome, and nowhere else in Europe. We take great pride in that, and especially the fact that the person who has signed this important European document was born on the soil where Serbs have lived for centuries. We are also proud that this year we mark this important anniversary with you. It brings us back to the times of the decline of the Roman Empire and a rise of a new civilisation that, thanks to the vision of Constantine the Great, we all belong to.
As the Latin proverb goes: history is the teacher of life. There is no doubt that at the beginning of this millennium a European man has learned an important lesson form history: Decisive and crucial historical events occur in a cyclic pattern. Events from history do not repeat, however, we are constantly faced with old questions and risks and new heroes who are up to the challenge are born. The time of the Constantine the Great was not an easy time, not for the rulers and not for the people. The power could have been lost over night, and the people would remain unprotected from advancing powerful armies, economic difficulties and natural disasters.
Even though he lived in turbulent times, Constantine the Great stayed in power much longer than any of his predecessors, because he was willing to take actions that will make him immortal. The Edict of tolerance, which he sighed in 313 in the vicinity of present-day Milan, is just the last in a line of similar documents of the time. However, edicts before Constantine did not have neither power nor vision to change the social order and the world form the roots, create conditions that will allow people in the centuries to come to develop their potentials in accordance with the basic principles of a contemporary society – free will and the freedom of choice.
Constantine did not just sign a document. He used the power of his will and uncompromised decisiveness to force its contemporaries to respect and implement what had been signed. His epochal pledge, that was weaved into the Edict of Milan – “everyone should believe as his heart wishes” is at the basis of all religious and civil freedoms up until the present days. One has the impression that this liberal massage that reconciles civilisations, and is truly ingenious, is embedded in the very foundations of our modern European culture and humanity.
Dear colleagues,
It gives me great pleasure to be given the opportunity to speak in the European Parliament today about how Serbia is pursuing and holding on to the ideas of Constantine the Great. Fundamental human rights and liberties are guaranteed by the Constitution that also grants every citizen a right to freely choose, enjoy religious freedoms and practice their religion without discrimination.
The present-day Serbia is fully committed to pursuing the path towards the membership in the European Union, as it is one of our country's key foreign policy priorities. All major parliamentary parties have the same interests.
The National Assembly is eager to intensify the exchange of experiences and best practices both with the European Parliament and the national parliaments of member states. By intensifying the cooperation we are improving the quality of life of all people in Serbia. With our commitment and actions we want to step up the process of European integration, consolidate the basic pillars of democracy and peace and focus on the economic development, prosperity and further promotion of human rights.
By working together with our friends from the European Union in numerous fields that are vital for the lives of our citizens, we are sending a clear signal to our partners in the EU that Serbia is creating an attractive, stable and predictable environment, ready to meet the needs of developed countries. As parliamentarians we are committed to promoting parliamentary cooperation, and in that light, we are cooperating with other parliaments in our region on the harmonisation of legislation and are taking common positions and actions before European institutions, particularly in those domains that are going to provide our citizens with a better quality of life and stability in our region. We are looking forward to Croatia becoming a full member of the EU on the 1st of July 2013, as it is important not only for our neighbour but also for the whole region of South-East Europe.
Dear colleagues, I would like to take this opportunity to underline that Serbia is fully committed to the European path and that the role of parliament as crucial on this path. While we await for the start of our accession negotiations and are striving to provide a better life for our citizens, it is important to be consistent and stay on the track of reforms fully convinced that the path of democracy, prosperity, social development, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is the path that has no alternative and, I will not be mistaken if I say, that the path was paved by Constantine the Great himself.
In conclusion, allow me to cite the very words of the Emperor Constantine: "No one should be forced to observe religion …. no one whatsoever should be denied the opportunity to give his heart to the observance of the religion which he should think best for himself…. any one who wishes to observe religion may do so freely and openly, without molestation… no one is to be restrained to act in accordance with his convictions alone or in associations with others… Let every one try to save his soul as his soul desires ….all men should be immune from coercion. Prosperity of an individual and the whole society, can be reached throughout, by and only with peace".
These words remind us of the fundamental principle of tolerance and respect for different religions and confessions that we usually associate with the development of modern world. Sometimes, we just need to remind ourselves of these wise words and be inspired and start thinking and acting on inspired thoughts.
We should understand that we are united in our differences and that we all belong to one family. My people have the strong feeling of belonging to the family of European nations and a dream that this feeling of belonging will soon become a reality.
Thank you!