The ceremony of awarding the leadership of the Center of the Russian Geographical Society in Serbia with the badge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation "For Cooperation" took place on December 7 in Belgrade. The award was presented by Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko to Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dušan Bayatovich, Director of the Center Miroljub Milinčić, as well as Advisor to the Director Vyacheslav Eremeev.
The departmental award recognizes the active work on the development of bilateral cooperation, the popularization of the Russian language and culture, the implementation of projects to support compatriots, and assistance in strengthening friendly relations between Russia and Serbia.
Dušan Bayatovich stressed that the award was a great honor for him, and also pledged to continue working on the development of fraternal relations between the Russian Federation and Serbia, the Russian and Serbian peoples.
Miroljub Milinčić, in turn, noted that the work of the RGS Center in Serbia represents only a small segment of the centuries-old and joint efforts of the two peoples and states in order to preserve and develop bilateral relations, "so that this world can be made better for all of us."
It is not the first time that the merits of the RGS Center in Serbia have been awarded Russian awards. For example, in February 2021, by decree of the president of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Dušan Bayatovich and Miroljub Milinčić were awarded the Pushkin Medal for their great contribution to the study and preservation of Russian cultural heritage, the rapprochement and mutual enrichment of the cultures of the peoples of Russia and Serbia.