Regional Governor receives award from Serbian President
BELGRADE. In Belgrade, the Governor of the Ionian Islands received a warm welcome from the Association of 1912-1918 War Volunteers, whose president, Nikola Filipović, hosted a reception for Mr. Trepeklis after he was decorated by the President of the Republic of Serbia.
(Ionian Islands Regional Authority) The Governor of the Ionian Islands, Yiannis Trepeklis, was honoured with the Medal of the Republic of Serbia by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, as part of the celebrations for Serbia’s Statehood Day (Sretenje) on Sunday, February 16.
The President of Serbia awarded the medal to the Governor of the Ionian Islands in recognition of his outstanding achievements in fostering and strengthening cooperation and friendly relations between Greece and Serbia. The ceremony took place at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade, attended by Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, nearly the entire cabinet, and Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, among others.
Yiannis Trepeklis was honoured following a nomination by the Corfu Association for Greek-Serbian Friendship, the Serbian Embassy in Greece, and the Association of 1912-1918 War Volunteers. The award acknowledges his support for the Serbian people during the Serbia War (1998-1999) and his tireless efforts to strengthen the bonds between the two nations through every role of responsibility he has held.
“With deep emotion and great honour, I accept the Medal of the Republic of Serbia—an accolade that is not just for me personally but reflects the strong historical ties uniting Corfu and the Serbian people. This award belongs to all Corfiots who have always demonstrated solidarity and hospitality, defending universal values such as peace, friendship, freedom, and mutual respect. Today’s recognition is a motivation for me to continue working with the same dedication to further strengthen our ties. Corfu will always remain open and welcoming to our Serbian brothers, with respect for our shared history and a vision for a common European future,” Trepeklis stated emotionally after receiving the award from the President of Serbia.
In Belgrade, the Governor of the Ionian Islands received a warm welcome from the Association of 1912-1918 War Volunteers, whose president, Nikola Filipović, hosted a reception for Mr. Trepeklis after he was decorated by the President of the Republic of Serbia.The event was attended by association members Saša Vukotić and Igor Todorović. During the reception, Filipović praised Trepeklis’ “heroic” stance in 1999 when, along with many other Corfiots, he helped block the island’s airport, preventing NATO from using it as a base for operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
As a token of gratitude, Filipović, on behalf of the Greek-Serbian Friendship Association, presented Trepeklis with the association’s emblem, a Serbian army and air force beret, and an icon of Agios Savvas.
Photo: Ionian Islands Regional Authority
