First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić met today in Belgrade with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Serbia.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia submitted a diplomatic note to Minister Dačić, annulling their decision to recognize the independence of Kosovo.
Minister Findley noted that the Government of the Republic of Liberia had recognized the fact that Belgrade and Pristina were negotiating under the auspices of the EU and therefore it revoked its recognition of Kosovo’s independence until the talks are finalized.
At the press conference, Minister Dačić explained that Liberia recognized Kosovo pursuant to its decision from 2008, and that it now annulled that decision since the dialogue under the auspices of the EU was still under way and because they did not wish to take sides.
„This decision is good, positive and hugely important to us and it shows that the dialogue is still ongoing. This is our contribution to the continuation of the Brussels dialogue on Sunday”, the Head of Serbian diplomacy noted and thanked Liberia for its understanding for Serbia’s position.
„This proves that the revocation process is in full swing. We will continue to work on it because we want the dialogue to lead to a compromise solution”, said Dačić.
Minister Dačić stressed that Serbia was very proud of the history of good relations with Liberia, dating back to the times of former Yugoslavia, as well as of the joint activities within the Non-Aligned Movement.
The Head of Serbian diplomacy also underlined that the next year would mark sixty years since the diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. He also reminded that Liberia was the first independent country in Africa, having gained its independence as early as the 19th century.
Minister Dačić said that he agreed with his Liberian colleague to have consultations between the two countries at the international level and to coordinate activities, and he also said that Liberia had noted that it would coordinate its approach on the matters of importance to us, especially regarding Kosovo.
The Head of Liberian diplomacy said that his visit was an opportunity to turn a new page in the history of relations between Liberia and Serbia, and reminded that these two countries had always been friends.
„We are now a new government, a new democracy and we try to form partnership with you and the people of Serbia. Today we have signed six agreements and these bilateral documents will be useful to both of our peoples. Liberia is interested in developing good relations with Serbia and partnership between the two countries will bring benefits to both of them”, the Foreign Minister of Liberia stressed.
Foreign Ministers Dačić and Milton Findley singed six agreements – Agreement on friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Liberia, Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Liberia, Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Liberia on Cooperation in Tourism, Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia on political consultations, Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Liberia on Cooperation in Agriculture, and the Cooperation Agreement between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia.