At the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia ceremony on Tuesday, 15 February 2022, Mayor Zoran Janković accepted a state decoration from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

Zoran Janković was awarded the decoration for special merits in developing and strengthening cooperation and friendly relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Slovenia. The Mayor thanked the President for the bestowed honour and added that he is especially honoured to have received the recognition of the Serbian state, as it is an award of the country in which he was born and where he lived for 12 years. He pointed out that receiving the recognition awakened in him 50% of his Serbian blood from his father's side and that this year's Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia will forever remain in his fondest memory.
»I accepted the recognition with pride, but I also understand it as a confirmation of my conviction that joint efforts for excellence in relations between two friendly nations and countries are the foundation of our common – European and global – future. I believe that we must instil these efforts in the consciousness of younger generations, who will build their coexistence on our foundations,« said the Mayor, adding that he would continue to strive to develop and seek synergies in all common areas of interest.
The Mayor also pointed out the excellent cooperation between Ljubljana and Belgrade, the capitals of Slovenia and Serbia. The twin cities have been cooperating in diverse fields since 2010 and are promoting the exchange of good practices between the two cities.