Tomislav Nikolic took oath and came on duty of the President of Serbia

(Tomislav Nikolic)

Tomislav Nikolic took oath at the special session of the Serbian Parliament, and began a five-year term as President of the Republic of Serbia.

After intonation of the national anthem "God of Justice", Nikolic signed the oath, and the chairperson of the meeting, Zaharije Trnavcevic congratulated him on entering the office of President.

The session was officially started shortly after 2.00 pm, when new members and the new president were welcomed at the entrance to the National Parliament by Honorary Unit of the Serbian Army.

Nikolic took oath in front of the Parliament members, stating: "I solemnly swear to devote all my efforts to preserve the sovereignty and integrity of the territory of the Republic of Serbia, including Kosovo and Metohija as its integral part, as well as human and minority rights and freedoms, respect and protection of the Constitution and laws, preservation of peace and prosperity of all citizens of Serbia and that I will conscientiously and responsibly fulfill my duties. "

Nikolic arrived to Parliament around 2.00 pm, accompanied by his wife Dragica, sons, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren, and in front of the Parliament, there were supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party greeting him.

At the special meeting, there were also presidential candidates from the recent elections, including the leaders of the Democratic Party, Boris Tadic, of the Movement "Preokret" Cedomir Jovanovic, DSS, Vojislav Kostunica, and the presidential candidate of URS, Zoran Stankovic, Movement of Workers and Peasants, Zoran Dragisic and from the Social Democratic Alliance, Danica Grujicic .

A special session was also attended by the Serbian Patriarch Irenaeus, and representatives of other religious communities in Serbia.

There were also representatives from the diplomatic corps, including the ambassadors of Germany, the United States and Russia, Wolfram Maas, Mary Warlick and Alexander Konuzin, Head of EU Delegation in Serbia, Vincent Degert.

The building at Nikola Pasic Square was also reached by the representatives of military and security agencies, the Chief of the Military Headquarters, Ljubisa Diković, but aldo the former Serbian president, Milan Milutinovic.

The special meeting was also attended by the still current Prime Minister, Mirko Cvetkovic and members of his cabinet. The session was attended by representatives of the judiciary - the Prosecutor for organized crime, Miljko Radisavljević, Prosecutor for war crimes, Vladimir Vukcevic and president of the Supreme Judicial Council, Nata Mesarovic.

Among those attending the oath of Nikolic, were also Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, Zoran Marković, Commissioner for Equality Protection, Nevena Petrusic, Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, Rodoljub Sabic and Citizens Protector, Sasa Jankovic.

Earlier today, the session which began at 10 am, constituted a new parliament, which will in future consist of 73 members from the coalition "Movement for Serbia ", 67 members of the coalition "Choice for a better life", 44 from the coalition SPS-PUPS-JS, 21 from DSS, 19 from the coalition "Preokret", 16 from URS, 5 from the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, two from the parties of Sulejman Ugljanin and one from the Journal "All Together", one from the Coalition of Albanians of the Presevo Valley and from the party "None of the answers."