President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday, speaking at a ceremony of presenting the awards on the occasion of Serbia's Statehood Day, that Serbia was attacked by various external forces, only because it was successful over the past ten years more than before and it knew how to protect national pride of its people.

“That does not mean that we would pursue a harsh policy or the policy of strict sanctions against those in our country that support those external efforts to destroy Serbia. On contrary, we would extend our hand to them anytime and at any moment, wishing to hear and understand their demands, needs, to meet their expectations if possible, but wit the same resoluteness to say that Serbia has no price, that it had existed and is stronger and will be even stronger, and we will not allow anyone to jeopardize it in any way,” stressed Vucic.

On this occasion, Vucic presented the Order of the Serbian Flag to 87 recognitions and decorations to deserving individuals and institutions.