At the “Western Balkan Security Challenges and Serbia” conference, co-hosted by the Centre for Foreign Policy and the United States Embassy in Belgrade, the keynote remarks made by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic were followed by a panel on the experiences of the Republic of Serbia concerning bilateral defence cooperation with the countries of the European Union and NATO.

The participants of the panel, moderated by Mr Ivan Vejvoda of the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, included Ambassador Branimir Filipovic, Acting Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Security Policy, Mr. Thomas Schieb, Ambassador of the Republic of Germany in Belgrade and Chief of Public Relations Department, Captain (N) Petar Boskovic, Head of the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Defence.

Ambassador Filipovic highlighted the importance of bilateral defence cooperation of the Republic of Serbia for the development of overall bilateral relations between the Republic of Serbia and EU and NATO countries, the implementation of the country’s foreign and security policy priorities, as well as for Serbia’s positioning at the international stage as a reliable partner in facing security challenges and sharing responsibility aimed at reaching and promoting regional, European and global stability.

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First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic met today in Banja Luka with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov.

Serbian and Russian Foreign Ministers, Dacic and Lavrov, ascertained that the level of trust and confidence and a high dynamic of Russia-Serbia contacts demonstrated a continued and productive development of the two countries’ relations. The two Ministers agreed that the relations between Moscow and Belgrade were developing in all areas and assessed that the mutual relations had reached an advanced level of strategic partnership.

Minister Dacic informed his Russian counterpart about the course of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. He reiterated Belgrade’s position that no long-term, sustainable solution for Kosovo and Metohija can be found unless supported by the Russian Federation.

Minister Lavrov underlined that Russia supported the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, while complying with UNSC Resolution 1244. He reiterated that Kosovo Albanians had for years failed to honour the EU-facilitated agreements with Serbia, despite Serbia maintaining a constructive position, and added that the EU needed to use its influence on Kosovo.

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov conveyed to Minister Dacic that Moscow strongly supported the Dayton Accords, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, equality of three peoples, and the powers vested in the two entities by the BiH Constitution. He underscored that Russia had always had a constructive cooperation with the EU and the United States on Balkan issues, and that he saw no reason for this to be changed and for just one of the parties to interfere in the resolution of regional matters.

Both Ministers concluded that a successful and sustainable conclusion of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue would strengthen regional stability.

In their meeting in Banja Luka, the two Foreign Ministers also discussed mutual support in international organizations and preparations for convening the Intergovernmental Committee session scheduled for October.
During his visit in Banja Luka, Minister Dacic attended the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of a Serbia-Russia church and cultural centre.

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Following are the remarks made by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic, at a reception held at the Embassy of Serbia in Abu Dhabi:

“Your Excellency,
Distinguished members of the diplomatic corps,
Dear compatriots,

I would like to thank you for being with us here today at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the United Arab Emirates.

The relations between the Republic of Serbia and the United Arab Emirates date back to the times of the Non-Aligned Movement, co-founded by the SFRY. Owing to the efforts made by the Serbian and Emirati leaderships, Serbia and the Emirates today boast of excellent political and economic relations, which have recorded accelerated development in all areas. Previously, a large number of important bilateral agreements pertaining to numerous areas were signed. High-level and top-level visits are taking place on a regular basis, as well as the meetings of entrepreneurs. The number of Emirati tourists visiting Serbia is growing year by year, while in 2017 over 20,000 Serbian visitors travelled to the UAE.

The United Arab Emirates is Serbia’s most important partner in the Gulf region, and we are committed to upgrading relations with this country to the level of strategic partnership. The importance that Serbia attaches to the Emirates is also illustrated by the fact that Serbia has been one of the first countries to confirm participation in the World Expo 2020, to take place in Dubai, which will be a good opportunity for our country to introduce its potential.

The first session of the Joint Committee on Serbia-UAE cooperation, to be held in Belgrade in mid-November, will certainly help to further solidify our cooperation.

The United Arab Emirates has also recognized Serbia as an important partner in the Balkans, as reflected in the number of Emirati companies operating with success in Serbia. Among them there are some of the major companies with operations in Serbia, including Etihad, Eagle Hills, Al Dahra, Al Ravafed, which have an excellent performance record in Serbia.

On the other hand, not a negligible number of reputed Serbian companies are conducting successful business operations in the UAE, promoting Serbia in the best possible manner.

The United Arab Emirates are a home away from home for over 6,000 Serbian nationals, which makes them the most populous Serbian community in the Middle East region. They have recognized the UAE as an ideal place to fulfil their professional goals, and many of them hold senior-level positions in their companies. It is particularly heartening to see that they are thus helping to boost Serbia’s reputation in the Emirates.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the United Arab Emirates for the financial and logistical support that this country has given to the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Abu Dhabi.

And last but not least, I would like to wish Ambassador Vukicevic every success in the discharge of his responsible duties, confident that he will both energize and encourage further development of the overall bilateral relations between our two countries, in his capacity as the first Ambassador of Serbia to the Emirates and Head of the Mission using new premises.

Thank you for your attention.”

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First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic has received today Sir Alan Duncan, UK Minister of State for Europe and the Americas at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The two collocutors discussed strengthening of bilateral relations between the Republic of Serbia and the United Kingdom, continuation of the European integration process of Serbia, relations in the region and the perspective of the Western Balkans as well as the current international issues.

Both sides agreed on the need to promote cooperation between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Serbia, particularly on the high level.
As regards the Kosovo and Metohija issue, they underlined the necessity for finding a durable peaceful solution that will take account of the interests of both peoples and promote stability in the entire region.

The UK Minister reiterated support by the official London to the EU integration process of Serbia and the readiness for the advancement of their bilateral relations.

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