Statement by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic at the Adriatic and Ionian Council /EUSAIR Ministerial Meeting held in Catania, Italy:

Mr. Secretary General,
Fellow Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure that we have gathered today in Catania and to have the opportunity to take stock of our joint activities over the past year in the Adriatic and Ionian region.

I would like to thank the Italian Republic for providing facilities for the current AIC meeting in an extended format along with EUSAIR Ministers, reaffirming once again that the Strategy is an efficient synergy mechanism enabling even more meaningful cooperation among EU Member States, EU Candidate and Potential Candidate Countries.

The Republic of Serbia expects that the true achievements of our regional cooperation be made visible and available, owing to macro-regional EU Strategies for the Danube Region and the Adriatic and Ionian Region, to all citizens in the region. In that respect, we are now ready to focus more attention on specific projects to be implemented through the Action Plan of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region.

The Report of the European Commission on the implementation of macro-regional strategies released in December 2016, the 2017 Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions and the latest European Parliament resolution adopted this year have largely identified immediate challenges.

Priorities set for transport and energy sectors need to be coordinated with the initiatives launched in other fora (“the Berlin Process”, “the Visegrad Group”, Energy Community, etc.) so that they be seen as complementary rather than as unnecessary duplication and overlapping.

I would like to point to very significant steps taken since the last AIC Ministerial Meeting, steps that proved the efficiency of close cooperation model between the participating States and the European Commission towards effective implementation of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region:

• A new round of EUSAIR Thematic Steering Groups in 2017 and the first half of 2018 has been completed successfully, thus fulfilling the expectations of the European Commission and all EUSAIR stakeholders in terms of establishing functional management structures within the Strategy;

• Within ADRION transnational program, 34 projects were agreed, while partners from Serbia are taking part in 13 of them. This opened up a possibility for the States participating in the Strategy to clearly articulate ideas through projects of relevance to the development of individual States and of the region as a whole.

We are convinced that the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region will start encouraging cooperation and investment to the benefit of all taking part in it, while making its full contribution to peace and security in our entire region.

I would now like to highlight some positive results achieved by the Republic of Serbia in the previous year. With a projected growth of over 4 per cent, my country has recorded a third consecutive surplus, while public debt has been reduced to less than 58 per cent which, let me recall, was a requirement set out in the Maastricht Treaty. Unemployment rate fell from almost 26 to 13 per cent. Unemployment of young people dropped from 51 to 33 per cent. Industrial output in January 2018 has increased by 10.6 per cent compared to January 2017 and overall foreign trade exchange by 39.1 per cent compared to the same period last year. With EUR 450 million in foreign direct investments, only in the first two months of 2018, Serbia is being steadily ranked high on various international lists according to investment security, competitiveness and ease of doing business.

Contributing to the strengthening of regional cooperation, R. Serbia has devoted particular attention to the activities carried out in the framework of the so-called Berlin Process. Serbia has supported the implementation of regional projects jointly agreed at last year’s Western Balkans Summit in Trieste, particularly those related to infrastructure, youth investment as well as development of potential new joint projects in other sectors aiming to improve the living standard in the region prior to formally entering the EU.

Serbia advocates coordination and alignment of development policies and plans aimed at transport and energy connectivity of this part of Europe with the European Union, in a way ensuring a synchronized and fully aligned approach, as well as embracing good practices adopted within multiple regional initiatives, regional structures and organizations. We believe that the macro-regional nature of the European Union approach is able to provide instant support in the form of expertise and funding for operations, which is particularly important for states that are currently in the process of EU integration.

We believe that the EU Enlargement Policy is one of the vital instruments of the Union, not only in the context of stabilizing the region and underpinning its economic prosperity, but also towards achieving stability and security of the EU as a whole, which was, it is my hope, unequivocally affirmed again at the recent EU-WB Summit in Sofia, reflected in the reality that full membership of the EU is the only strategic option for the Western Balkan partners. Serbia has proven to be an equal and reliable partner to the EU in the earlier years, and we are pleased that this fact was recognized, considering the amount of the political effort put to that end.

Despite the political and economic challenges apparently facing the EU today, we are convinced that a clear perspective of EU membership has been and remains the main driver for a number of reform processes and positive developments in the region. The Republic of Serbia is committed to the accession process in the context of which it has opened twelve negotiating chapters so far. It is our objective to open as many chapters we are prepared for as possible in the shortest timeframe possible, so that the entire governmental administration could focus on our key and overarching goal, that is, full membership of the European Union.

To Serbia, as well as others in the Western Balkans, an unhindered continuation of the integration process, above all a process of long and difficult reforms, is of utmost importance as we convey our expectation that unequivocal support and understanding will come from all of the EU Member States. A progress made in the EU integration process by each of us individually has a positive impact on all the others in the region.

It is towards the acceleration of the European path that we recognize the multi-faceted importance of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region: by enhancing its practical implementation we have an opportunity to closely cooperate with the administrations of other participants – EU Member States, candidate and aspirant countries. At the same time, we closely cooperate with the European Commission, using the mechanism enabling us to second our experts to EC structures – by which we both gain knowledge of the EC’s operation and have an opportunity to showcase the capacity of professionals working in our own governmental administration, as yet another dimension of the added value of the Strategy for Serbia.

I thank our Italian colleagues and friends for the excellent arrangements provided for the 3rd Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region – for their work and commitment that are in evidence all around us. To our friends from Montenegro I wish a successful Chairmanship of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative in the year ahead. I am confident that, viewed in a broader context, the former, the current and our next Chairmanship in 2019, will have a significant impact in the successful realization of activities and projects within the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, to which the cooperation in the Trio Presidency format will also contribute in many ways.

Thank you for your attention.

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The following are the remarks by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic, at a ceremony marking the Serbian Diplomacy Day:

“Distinguished Excellencies,
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the ceremony marking the Serbian Diplomacy Day.

I am greatly honored and pleased to greet you and to congratulate the Diplomacy Day to all members of the Serbian Foreign Ministry.

The official ceremony marking this day is an expression of the necessity to clearly position diplomacy as an extremely important segment in the functioning of the Government and society. Moreover, it is an opportunity to sum up the results of Serbia’s past foreign political activities.

By restoring the Museum of Serbian Diplomacy and the inauguration of its Day, the Serbian career diplomacy has returned to its roots – the Nemanjic diplomacy of Saint Sava pacifism, proud of the results achieved over the past four years. Let us mention just some of the results that have helped Serbia shift from being an object to becoming a partner and subject at the level of international politics: Serbian Chairmanship of the OSCE, diplomatic action “No to Kosovo in UNESCO”, revocation of “Kosovo” recognition by some countries, mounting of the first exhibition on Jasenovac after WWII, at the United Nations Headquarters.

From its very inception, from the moment of realization that problems can and must be resolved peacefully instead through conflicts, diplomacy imposed itself as the supreme modus operandi in relations between rulers and States. Viewed within a historic perspective, the establishment and preservation of peace was not easy then, just as it is not easy now. Arriving at an optimum solution within realistic possibilities requires a lot of knowledge, skills, efforts and hard work. That is why our work in the Foreign Service is often invisible, albeit extremely responsible, important and exhausting. This is also why the diplomatic service requirements have quickly laid down the proper standards for all those who wish to engage in this profession. First and foremost, it is love of one’s homeland, since diplomacy is about patriotism, extensive education, good communications skills, ability to read nuances and interpret them correctly, and an unrelenting will to reach an acceptable solution through negotiations.

Dear friends,

The long and often turbulent history of the Serbian people and state has been fraught with many trials and tribulations for our diplomacy. We sought to respond to these permanent challenges which make this profession sensitive and unique, by knowledge, skills, experience and consistency. It is along these lines that the greatest names of the Serbian diplomatic and intellectual milieu gained prominence: Stojan Novakovic, Milos Crnjanski, Rastko Petrovic, Jovan Ducic, Branislav Nusic, Milan Rakic, Ivo Andric and many others in whom we take immeasurable pride. Still, in their shadow, there is a large number of career diplomats who have represented their country in an equally dignified manner.

Respecting its past and looking to the future with a great sense of responsibility, the Republic of Serbia today places the preservation of peace and stability at the core of its foreign policy, which is not a goal in itself, but a process and journey requiring commitment and continued efforts of all to maintain this situation. We trust and believe that the efforts and actions beneficial to peace and stability enable our country’s economic development and progress, and the achievement of well-being for all our citizens. By profiling Serbia’s foreign policy in this way and by promoting peace and stability, we are making an immense contribution to the improvement of relations in our neighborhood, for which we have been recognized in the entire international community as a reliable, responsible and predictable partner. With lasting commitment to peace and stability, we shall always be open for all talks, ideas and initiatives aimed at these imperatives. The evident increase of Serbia’s reputation and a growing number of friends from across the globe validates best our positions and activities, to our great satisfaction.

The Republic of Serbia continues to pursue its European path as its foreign political priority, wishing to formally and meaningfully be more integrated in the family of European nations, where it has always belonged. We have made headway along the path, with new chapters opened in the course of our accession negotiations, but the process does not correspond to the pace of the instituted reforms, which we have been robustly implementing by embracing and applying the standards of more developed European countries. We are working committedly to become a full member of the European Union, while expecting the enlargement process to enter a new stage whereby the Republic of Serbia as a stable and reliable partner would contribute to the Union’s strength. We truly believe that one of the fundamental values of the European Union, as one the largest peace project in the history, lies in the diversity and richness of its Member States which will be complemented by Serbia’s accession. Our country is open to changes, which we are looking forward to, but we do not intend to give up our values. These values have essentially always been European, with certain distinctive features inherent in the Serbian national being.

When it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, we would like to clearly emphasize, as we have done many times before, our commitment to resolving this issue through dialogue, without either side being favored. Our resolve to continue the talks and our restrained response to recent provocations best illustrate our mature and wise approach. The democratic capacity of the Serbian society has been expressed, inter alia, through an internal dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija, additionally strengthening the legitimacy of our position to reach a (mutually) acceptable solution exclusively through dialogue, without blackmail or imposition. It is of utmost importance that this is a two-way process. We expect the representatives of provisional institutions in Pristina to fulfill their share of agreed obligations as a necessary precondition for a successful outcome, to which we have been committed for years.

The Republic of Serbia has invested and will continue to invest maximum efforts to maintain its relations with neighboring countries at the highest possible level. It is of utmost importance that all channels of communication be used for further cooperation and exchange of views on current topics. We believe that a good business climate and stronger economic ties can be very useful for further reinforcement of the confidence-building process among the Western Balkan countries.

Moreover, we will continue to develop and restore the traditionally friendly relations with many countries from around the globe, such as Russia, China, United States, India, African, Latin American and the Middle East states. Our relations are based on mutual respect, support and desire to promote economic relations, for which there are realistic preconditions.

I was privileged to be the first Minister of Foreign Affairs to promulgate this Day in 2015 and today I shall have the honor to pay tribute to the individuals who have been working together with us on the Ministry’s projects over the past years, by awarding them the Shield with the coat-of-arms of the Nemanjic Dynasty – the founders of the Serbian statehood, spirituality, enlightenment and diplomacy, for their contribution to improving Serbia’s image and the protection of its vital interests.

Today the Knights of the Order of the Dragon – the Knights of Serbian diplomacy, will be men and women who particularly stand out in the area of preserving cultural identity, humanitarian work, endowments and preservation of the culture of remembrance of WWI and WWII victims: Roksanda Ilincic, Professor Ljiljana Markovic, PhD, Marina Arsenijevic, Arno Guyon, Mila Mulroney, Rebecca MacDonald, Professor Gideon Greif, PhD, Jelena Buhac Radojcic, Gojko Roncevic Mraovic, descendant of Field Marshal Stepa Stepanovic Dr. Ivana Lucic, descendant of Milunka Savic Dr. Slobodanka Grkovic, a descendent of Milunka Savic and Professor Rose Gojic Stephenson – a descendant of David Albala.

Believe it or not, some of the first diplomatic uniforms were designed by Milica Babic, wife of the Nobel Prize Laureate Ivo Andric, and were manufactured by Gucci. We have with us today Roksanda Ilincic, among others, whose fashion designs are worn by VIPs in more than 40 countries world-wide. Since women outnumber men in our Ministry, it may well happen that diplomatic uniforms by Gucci be replaced by the Roksanda-style creations for emancipated and successful lady diplomats.

Today we will also inaugurate an exhibition mounted by Marina Gavanski Zissis, an academy-trained painter and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Serbia in Canada, while Rosie Gojic Stephenson Goodnight and Professor Gideon Greif will present at the Faculty of Philology, a monography honoring the centenary of two major events: the day when the Serbian flag flew over the White House, and the centenary of the Balfour Declaration.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank to the survivors of Jasenovac concentration camp as well as to Professor Gideon Greif, an expert on Jasenovac and Director of the exhibition displayed at the United Nations, and the descendants of Field Marshal Stepa Stepanovic and Milunka Savic, for their cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the past four years.

Today is also a day when Professor Darko Tanaskovic, PhD, our distinguished Ambassador, will be awarded in recognition for his contribution to career diplomacy, which is a source of immense pride for me as Serbian Foreign Minister.

Dear friends,

Based upon success and lessons learnt, which impose an obligation on us, and in line with the current needs, I wish to underline that we shall continue to empower the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through further professionalization, modernization and rejuvenation of its diplomatic staff. This profession requires, in addition to extensive knowledge and skills a lot of sacrifice and despite common belief, the only privilege is personal satisfaction that remains with every diplomat knowing that he has worked in the best interest of his country and people.

Once again, I would like to congratulate the members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Diplomacy Day and I would like to wish us all a successful and fruitful work.

Thank you for your attention.

Everything for Serbia – Serbia for nothing.

Long live Serbia!”

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