I am certain that everyone wishes to forget the year that is nearly behind us as soon as possible. The emergence of the coronavirus pandemic has shook all humanity, including our country. Although this year was difficult in terms of preserving health, our country has been more successful in fighting the pandemic than much wealthier and more developed countries of the world. For all these reasons, this year ought to be dedicated to all the healthcare workers ― those who, without any break in the last 10 months, have been fighting on the front lines against this virus. I truly admire them and thank them for their extraordinary commitment and efforts to helping the people fight COVID-19. I believe that everyone wishes that next year will mark the end to this virus.

For 2021, I wish all citizens, first and foremost, good health. I wish for us all to return to our daily routines and lives as we had led them prior to the pandemic. I wish the children would return to school, that we may visit our parents and friends, that we may go to each other’s homes to celebrate saint patron’s days at no risk to anyone’s health. I am positive that this will happen very soon. We are a resilient people, we have gone through much worse trials which we have overcome with unity and courage, and that is why it is extremely important that we are united and in solidarity in these difficult moments.

Next year, Serbia will face numerous challenges. In addition to preserving the health of its citizens, the main tasks of the Government of the Republic of Serbia will be to maintain state security and financial stability, to fight for economic growth, to fight for the interests of its citizens in Kosovo and Metohija, the continuation of European integration and implementation of reforms, including the never-ending task of achieving higher standards of living for its citizens in all aspects.

I believe that in achieving these goals, the Ministry of Justice will make an important contribution. The Ministry will foremost be committed to fighting organised crime and corruption, further raising infrastructural capacities of judicial bodies and providing other conditions that would allow the judiciary to be even more efficient, continuing the development of e-judiciary, and improving the work of judicial professions.

It is not only my responsibility, but also a great honour to have been given the opportunity to be a member of a team led by President Aleksandar Vučić who, over the past several years, has made Serbia a better place for our citizens to live. Serbia today is a regulated and prospective country, an economically stable society, respected all around the world.

It is the obligation of every member of the Government to make their best efforts to achieve maximal results within their purview. There is no greater honour than to serve one’s own country.

It is also my great pleasure to be a part of the Government led by Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, with women making up nearly one half of all ministers. This is a significant step in achieving gender equality. I am proud of the fact that the new Serbian Government has as many as eleven women in charge of some of the most demanding sectors. With this new Government, Serbia has shown that it is at the world top when it comes to gender equality.

Women have an exceptional ability of organising a great number of activities in addition to displaying great bravery and decisiveness in making the most important decisions. For centuries, women have been pillars of the family. They have been playing this role to date, but they have been additionally burdened by their professional commitments which had not been the case before. I find every woman of today a heroine. Every day, women win battles to keep their families together, to ensure they have all the essentials, to find the time to raise and to educate their children, to be mothers, wives, daughters ― and all that in addition to having paid work and earnings. It is very difficult for women to achieve the ideal balance between all their obligations, which is why I think they are heroines. Our country’s management led by President Vučić has recognised the importance and the role of women, which has resulted in the composition of the Government as we have it today.

What I can promise is that I will do my utmost within my purview to justify the trust placed in me and to perform at my best in the interest of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens.