On June 19th, 2009 at the Summit of Central European state presidents, which took place on June 18th – 20th, 2009 in Novy Sad (Serbia), the president of the Ukraine, Viktor Juščenko, initiated a meeting with representatives of the Rusyn and Ukrainian ethnic minorities in Serbia. Among other arrangements, Slavko Oros, the Chairman of the National Council of the Rusyn Ethnic Minority in Serbia pointed out that their ancestors came to these areas over 260 years ago; they came as Ruthens, Rusyns, Greek-Catholics and, thanks to their own efforts as well as those of the church and school, they have preserved their traditions and customs, their language and Rusyn identity.