Tomislav Nikolic

Former President Tomislav Nikolic has told Russian Deputy PM Dmitry Rogozin that Serbia's priority is "friendship with Russia while respecting other nations."

Thousands of guests, including representatives of all states from the region, but also from the EU, the US, Russia and elsewhere, are expected to attend the formal inauguration in Belgrade on Friday of Aleksandar Vucic as Serbia's new President.

If, as expected, Serbia's parliament confirms Ana Brnabic as the country's new Prime Minister, Serbia will have a strongly pro-EU oriented premier.

BELGRADE - The Serbian government on Wednesday named former Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic as head of the National Council for Coordination with the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China.

At a session, the government also appointed the members of the Council.

President Aleksandar Vucic has brought the flag of the EU back to the Serbian Presidency building.

The daily Blic writes that this was "one of the first moves he made" since becoming president last Wednesday.

The EU flag was removed from the presidency "several years ago" by Vucic's predecessor Tomislav Nikolic.

BELGRADE - New Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday took over the presidential duties from the previous head of state, Tomislav Nikolic, at a ceremony in the Presidency building at Andricev venac in downtown Belgrade.

In the ceremonial hall of the Presidency, Nikolic handed over to Vucic the presidential standard and the state seal.

BELGRADE - Serbia's outgoing President Tomislav Nikolic will hand over his duties to President-elect Aleksandar Vucic at a ceremony in the Presidency building on Wednesday.

Outgoing President Tomislav Nikolic will hand over his duties to President-elect Aleksandar Vucic during a ceremony in the Presidency building on Wednesday.

Serbia's President-elect, Aleksandar Vucic, will sworn in on Wednesday in parliament but the ceremonial inauguration will take place later in June, Serbian media have reported.

PHOTO: TANJUG / SAVA RADOVANOVIC

Serbia's new president, Aleksandar Vucic, will take the oath of office during a ceremony at the Serbian National Assembly in Belgrade on Wednesday, May 31.

The daily Vecernje Novosti is reporting this on Monday.