Participation in the Francophonie Summit highly important for Serbia

At the Francophonie Summit, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic had talks with several Heads of State and Government and Foreign Ministers of Francophonie member States, including the Organization’s Secretary General Michaelle Jean and other high officials.

Particular importance is attached to meetings with French President Hollande, President of Vietnam Quang, as well as Presidents of the Swiss Confederation, Seychelles, Comoros and the Central African Republic.

During the Summit, the Serbian Foreign Minister also met Prime Ministers of Canada, Mauritius and the Vice President of Egypt. On the Ministerial level, talks were held with Foreign Ministers of Rwanda, Haiti, Mali, the Congo and Algeria.

Minister Dacic took the opportunity at the Summit to present to the President of Madagascar the Order of the Republic of Serbia with which he had been decorated by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic.

All the talks highlighted the need of intensifying contacts and communication, including more frequent exchanges of visits at the highest and high levels. The talks also centred on issues of political and economic bilateral cooperation including, with some states, visa liberalization conditions.

The issue of unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo was extensively elaborated with all Francophonie members which had not recognized it, along with the presentation of positions and arguments which were met with support.

At the Francophonie Summit in Antananarivo, a total of 28 bilateral meetings were held with Presidents of states, Prime Ministers, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and senior representatives of Francophonie members, significantly contributing to the affirmation of Serbia’s foreign policy position, particularly among the French-speaking countries.

The Summit offered a unique opportunity to reiterate Serbia’s positions to the leaders of Francophonie countries, and call for their understanding and support.