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Euroasian Jewish News
EAJC Leader Alexander Mashkevich and President of Serbia Boris Tadic
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EAJC Leader Visits Serbia
16.03.2010
During a working visit to Belgrad, the President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) Alexander Mashkevich met with the President of Serbia Boris Tadic. A solid discussion of a number of business and humanitarian questions took place. Significant attention was directed to reviewing the ethno-religious specificities of the former Yugoslavian countries. In connection with this, Alexander Mashkevich spoke about the EAJC experience in developing a many sided multilevel dialogue between representatives of different religions, and offered the Preisdent of Serbia cooperation in this important sphere of humanitarian policy.
President Tadic underscored that the newest European political landscape cannot be conceived without interfaith harmony, and supported the EAJC leader's offer, having duly noted that tolerance is a most important source of peace and stability in any region.
Alexander Mashkevich and the Boris Tadic visited an Orthodox church under construction, and Alexander Mashkevich spoke about the developing ties between the EAJC and the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Part of the visit was dedicated to the EAJC President's meeting with the Jewish community of Serbia. Rabbi Isaak Asiel acquainted Alexander Mashkevich with the news of local community life, especially noting that Jews feel quite comfortable and sure in their role as national minority in this country. At the end of the meeting, the EAJC leaders congratulated the Jewish community of the country on the nearing holiday of Pesach.
“It is a pleasure to understand, being in Belgrad, in the so-called “little Yugoslavia,” that the Balkans are ceasing to be the “powder keg” of Europe,” said Alexander Mashkevich to journalists. “Whatever the stereotype was based on – fear, illusion, or lucre – it should be gotten rid of.”
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