New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings to the government and people of Serbia on their national day.

In a message to his Serbian counterpart Tomislav Nikolic, Mukherjee on Sunday said that India and Serbia, the successor state to Yugoslavia, enjoy a long standing friendship as co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, and called for stronger cooperation ahead.

"On behalf of the government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I convey warm greetings and felicitations to Your Excellency and to the friendly people of the republic of Serbia on the occasion of your National Day,” Mukherjee said in his message.

“India and Serbia enjoy a long standing friendship as co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement. I am confident that the potential that exists for stronger cooperation will be realised in the years ahead,” he added.

Serbia observes its Statehood Day on February 15, commemorating the outbreak of the revolt in 1804 against the then Ottoman rulers which eventually led to the east European country's independence.