The Serbian government decided on Monday to donate one million euros to help rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral, a decision that "confirms the centennial friendship with the French people". Belgrade "expresses the wish that this symbol of French civilization and the world be rebuilt as soon as possible and that this temple of culture be reopened to its future admirers," said a statement from the government.
"Divine punishment"
In the wake of the fire that ravaged Notre Dame, President Aleksandar Vucic expressed his support for France, saying that "all citizens of Serbia are sad" and are with their "French friends". However, the fire was initially described by two Serbian tabloids, Informer and Alo , as "divine punishment". The two tabloids pointed out that a Kosovo flag had been hoisted in the cathedral at the time of the centenary of the Armistice of 1918. Close to power, however, both media had quickly removed these items.
As part of the celebrations of the centenary of the 1914-1918 war, the interior of the Parisian cathedral had been decorated with the colors of all the guests at the ceremonies, including Kosovo. Serbia, which does not recognize the independence of its former southern province, had shouted "scandal". Relations between Paris and Belgrade had further escalated when Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was placed in the tribune on 11 November while his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic was in a secondary gallery.