Vucic awarded Japan Society Grand Prize

BELGRADE - The Japan Society charity organisation has awarded Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic its Grand Prize for his contribution to Serbia's development through initiating comprehensive social reforms, with Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and celebrated Serbian film director Emir Kusturica also named laureates.

Prime Minister Vucic is to be credited with exceptional results in general social development and a changed social awareness regarding the country's potentials and new development possibilities, and with initiating a new stage in the development of society and raising the level of inter-state and inter-ethnic relations, as well as general human relations in Serbia, the Japan Society explained in a statement.

Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik has been awarded the Grand Prize for his overall contribution to social and economic development in Republika Srpska, regional security and improved reputation of Republika Srpska in the region and beyond, the Society said.

Dodik deserves the award for having improved the level of inter-state and inter-ethnic relations, as well as general human relations in Republika Srpska, the statement said.

Film director Emir Kusturica has been awarded the prize as a creator and humanist and for an exceptional contribution to the affirmation of the cultures, history and traditions of Serbs and other nations living in Serbia and Republika Srpska, as well as for having implemented long-term projects such as Drvengrad in Mokra Gora (on Mt. Tara, Serbia) and Andricgrad in Visegrad (Republika Srpska), which affirm cultural and other lasting values, the statement said.

The Japan Society is a Serbian non-profit organisation that brings the peoples of Serbia...