Serbian Patriarch Porfirije has called for a renewed commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and spiritual values, saying that genuine peace begins when people recognize one another as neighbors regardless of nationality, religion, or political views.

His message was delivered at the international conference *"Partners in a Changing World: Central and Eastern Europe, America, Israel and the New Middle East,"* held in Belgrade. The gathering, organized at the initiative of the Serbian-American Friendship Congress, brought together politicians, religious leaders, security experts, academics, and public figures from Serbia, the United States, Israel, and countries across Central and Eastern Europe.

In his address, Patriarch Porfirije said that rapid technological, economic, and political changes are reshaping not only nations but also human relationships. He stressed that the primary goal of international dialogue should be to ensure that these transformations serve humanity rather than becoming ends in themselves.

"The world needs people to learn once again to see one another as neighbors—as brothers and sisters," the Patriarch said. He recalled the teaching of St. Sava of Serbia, who encouraged steadfastness in the Orthodox faith and national identity while remaining open to dialogue, encounter, and mutual understanding with all people.

A significant part of the Patriarch's message focused on the Holy Land. He called on believers to pray for peace in Jerusalem and for an end to human suffering, expressing hope that the land of biblical history would once again become a place of fraternity and reconciliation rather than conflict and division.

Patriarch Porfirije also emphasized that lasting trust between nations cannot be built without a strong spiritual and moral foundation. Historical memory, he said, should not become a source of new divisions but instead serve the cause of justice, reconciliation, and mutual respect. He added that Orthodox Serbs have much to learn from the Jewish people, with whom they share the experience of historical suffering and martyrdom.

The Serbian Orthodox leader welcomed initiatives aimed at strengthening relations between Serbia and the United States, as well as expanding cooperation with Israel, expressing hope that such efforts would contribute to greater peace and understanding.

The conference focused on international security, economic and technological cooperation, preserving historical memory, and combating historical revisionism. Opening the forum, Serbian National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabić said that in an era of growing geopolitical challenges, dialogue remains the only path to mutual understanding and that durable partnerships must be built on trust and respect.

Participants also discussed prospects for deeper strategic cooperation between Serbia, the United States, and Israel, including joint initiatives in the fields of economy, innovation, and security, as well as efforts to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and counter the falsification of history.