Statement by FDPM and MFA H.E. Mr. Ivica Dačić at the informal meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP)

Mr. President,
Excellences,
My fellow Ministers,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my honour to address you here in Banjaluka, on behalf of the Republic of Serbia. I wish to begin by expressing my gratitude to the Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process for organizing this meeting, giving us an opportunity to meet again and exchange views concerning the overall situation and current developments in the region. I would further like to commend the priorities of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairmanship focusing under the motto “Better Connectivity for Better Life” on further improving connectivity in the region, as the very foundation of the future progress of regional cooperation.
Dear colleagues,
It has been more than two decades since the launch of the South-East European Cooperation Process, and 18 years since the adoption of the Charter on Good-Neighbourly Relations, Stability, Security and Cooperation in South Eastern Europe. During this period, the international circumstances have considerably changed compared to the last decade of the 20th century, giving the present-day-world a different appearance, with new challenges and threats, as well as new actors on the international stage. Nevertheless, there is still a need to improve regional cooperation and good-neighbourly relations as a way of establishing peace and stability in the region. I must say that all of us together, in the spirit of solidarity, have been able to preserve regional stability, despite facing some recent challenges.

I find it necessary to underscore today, too, that accession to the European Union remains one of the priorities in the foreign policy of the Republic of Serbia. So far, fourteen chapters have been opened in the process of accession negotiations with the EU, 2 of which have been provisionally closed. I would like to emphasize that we do not perceive membership of the European Union as an end in itself – it is the negotiating process that we see as the main driver to carry out fundamental reforms. We would very much look forward to an acceleration of the negotiations, hoping that all of the negotiating chapters supported by the necessary conditions will be opened in the near future, and that Serbia will be enabled to concentrate its efforts to make full use of the indicative 2025 accession date.

Despite the obstacles along the path to the EU accession, the period behind us has also witnessed some positive steps forward, such as the effort of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to keep the Western Balkans high on the agenda, and the publication of “A Credible Enlargement Perspective for and Enhanced EU Engagement with the Western Balkans” by the European Commission, a strategy indicating 2025 as a potential for Serbia and Montenegro to enter the European Union. The continuation of the EU integration process of the Republic of Serbia and of the entire region is also encouraged by the fact that the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2018 has also included the security of South-East Europe, and in this context a tangible progress on the integration of the Western Balkans, among the priorities of its Presidency. We also expect that the incoming EU Presidencies, including that of Romania as our next-door neighbour, will keep the enlargement theme on their agendas, it being one of the EU’s most successful policies ever, which, according to our analyses, in no way contradicts the often mentioned need to reform the Union itself.

I would also like to single out the results of the reform agenda pursued by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and particularly those achieved in the economy. The implemented, tough and comprehensive reforms have resulted in fiscal consolidation and macroeconomic stability, and have led to a public debt reduction and budgetary surplus. Furthermore, the Republic of Serbia has managed to record a high economic growth, the highest in the last ten years according to the estimates by the European Commission and international financial institutions, even reaching 4.6%.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The pace of the Republic of Serbia’s accession to the European Union is largely dependent on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, which is currently at its key stage. I must recall that we have shown readiness for compromise and put forward constructive proposals in order to arrive at a mutually acceptable, sustainable and lasting solution. I believe that we need to have open discussions and to give serious consideration to every option on the table, the best of which would, of course, be the one that both sides to the dialogue agree on. The understanding and support of our partners remains to be of the utmost importance on this challenging path.

The Republic of Serbia continues to maintain its resolute commitment to regional cooperation and readiness to play a substantive role in overcoming obstacles and misunderstandings of the past, aiming to achieve mutual reconciliation. Serbia’s commitment to regional cooperation has also been reflected in its support to establishing new regional initiatives, such as the Western Balkans Fund, Regional Youth Cooperation Office, Chamber Investment Forum, the Transport Community, etc. The Republic of Serbia has also, to the best of its abilities, continued to contribute to the settlement of open regional issues and other disputes, thus acting as a predictable and credible partner in the region. We unambiguously support the economic integration of our region, including the process of digitalization and infrastructural connectivity as being vital for success, as well as the ongoing activities aimed at reducing the international roaming service prices in the region.

Allow me to wish Bosnia and Herzegovina good luck and success in its SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office, and also to emphasize the continued readiness of the Republic of Serbia to contribute to the deepening of cooperation, in order for our region to remain an area of security, stability and good-neighbourly relations and become a region of prosperity for all.

Thank you for your attention.

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Statement By First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic at Informal Meeting (“Gymnich”) of EU Foreign Ministers and Candidate Countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear colleagues,

First of all, allow me to thank Mrs. Kneissl and EU High Representative Mrs. Mogerini for their invitation. I am pleased that we have yet another opportunity to discuss again in the format enabling direct and open exchange of views among EU members and candidate countries. Let me thank Austria, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, for organizing this meeting. We would like the Austrian Presidency to be remembered as a period when Serbia opened a large number of chapters in its accession negotiations with the EU. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to urge you to support us in opening new chapters.

Under the Commission’s Enlargement Strategy, the year 2025 has been defined as an indicative date for Serbia’s accession to the European Union acknowledging that the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro are frontrunners in this process. Let me reiterate once again that Serbia views its European Union membership as its major strategic commitment. We believe that the Union, for its part, is also strategically committed to turning our continent into a safer place by making Serbia and our region its integral part, enabling us to work together in the international arena to advance effective multilateralism.

Taking stock of the dynamic developments at the global political scene, the Republic of Serbia perceives the show of force in international relations again and erosion of norms and principles as a warning to all of us. Effective multilateralism is one of the strategic goals that the EU advanced in the 2003 European Security Strategy and the 2016 Global Strategy as a response to unilateralism and it implies trust in international institutions, rules and partnerships including burden-sharing among all participants. Serbia also embraces such approach and by its activities in international and regional organizations and initiatives, taking into account its future EU membership, seeks to contribute to the strengthening of peace and stability as well as to economic progress.

It is necessary to expand multilateral arrangements beyond trade and security to include disarmament, arms control and international criminal law. I hold the view that multilateral cooperation with other actors on the international stage is of vital importance. We deeply believe that this is the only way forward in a world of growing interdependence and complexity where common challenges require common solutions.

We are aware of the challenges facing the EU – perennial economic problems, migration crisis, terrorism, reaching an agreement on climate change and the UN Security Council reform, as well as trade liberalization in the context of the World Trade Organization. These challenges are the reason for us to unite and express readiness for coordinated responses and cooperation. Serbia is aware of the importance of multilateral cooperation, but also of the fact that this type of cooperation is challenging. This is best witnessed by our own experience from the not too distant past.

It is well-known that the UN mission is active in our southern Province. Serbia is fully aware of the challenges facing the peace-keeping missions and, along with its partners, it is willing to work to improve their operational capacities. We are also willing to increase our participation in peace-keeping missions, thus making our contribution to the preservation of international peace and security.

Unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and the current situation in the Province present the biggest security challenge for the Republic of Serbia, bearing in mind the discrimination against and violence to which persons belonging to the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija are exposed, as well as endangerment of Serbian cultural and historical heritage. Signing of the Brussels Agreement was motivated by the desire to examine possibilities for a systematic, institutionalized protection of the interests of Serbian and other non-Albanian communities in the Province, short of the proper institutional mechanisms in place. Under the Agreement, the protection is to be ensured through the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities, which five years later has still not been established, showing why the support of the international community is vital for a successful dialogue. I expect all the participants in the process to be engaged in confidence-building, because without trust it will not be at all easy, or possible, to build a better future. We need to continue the dialogue in good faith, since it is a necessary prerequisite for stability and security in our region.
It is precisely from the example of our southern Province that one can perceive the importance of trust in multilateralism and its institutions, either in the UN, as the largest one, or in some other regional multilateral format, because we all need to work on ensuring more trust among the citizens, regardless of their ethnic background. Without this, multilateralism has no purpose.

Today we are witness to the fact that unilateral decisions in international setting lead to perilous instability and result in great collateral damage. It is for this reason that the multilateral approach to problem-solving is a means to avoid arbitrary action, which can have long-term consequences. Serbia is counting on the strength of multilateralism as the legacy of our contemporary society, deeply believing in dialogue and compromise reaching even in the most difficult situations.

Thank you.

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Address at a ceremony of planting a Japanese cherry blossom tree in front of the Museum of Yugoslavia:

“Your Excellency Ambassador Maruyama,
Mr. Nishiura,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,

A new tree is always of multiple significance, reflecting the power of symbolism, longevity, life force and vitality.

However, today’s ceremony of planting the first out of thirty Japanese cherry blossom trees in the area in front of the Museum of Yugoslavia is of additional importance. It is taking place in the year which is extremely important for relations between the Republic of Serbia and Japan, a year which commenced in the best possible way by the historic visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Republic of Serbia. The visit has given a strong impetus and created new opportunities for the further enhancement of cooperation between the two countries in political, economic, cultural and other areas.

Also of great significance is the fact that an important joint decision was made this spring by Serbia and Japan to establish 1882 – the year of first diplomatic correspondence between Prince Milan Obrenović and Japanese Emperor Meiji – as the “Year of Friendship between Serbia and Japan”.

This year, based on the idea of Prime Minister Abe, the “Initiative for cooperation between Japan and the Western Balkans region” was also launched, within which initial steps have been taken, and to which Serbia attaches great importance.

As a result of the visit to Serbia by the Japanese Prime Minister, whose delegation comprised 16 most senior officials of leading Japanese companies, Serbia and Japan achieved very important results in the area of economic cooperation. The interest of Japanese companies to appear on the Serbian market is growing, important new business contacts have been established, while some Japanese companies have made fresh initiatives on our market. Japanese companies and investors, known for their diligence, commitment and high professionalism, are welcome in Serbia, and we stand ready to provide our assistance in their new business undertakings.

I particularly wish to underline that, despite their geographical remoteness, the Serbs and the Japanese nurture their high respect for each other, sympathies and an interest to learn about their respective cultural heritage and tradition. These special ties bring our two peoples closer together, opening the avenues to the strengthening of their overall cooperation.

Serbian and Japanese peoples were side by side at difficult junctures. I take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for Japan’s exceptional solidarity and assistance to the people of Serbia in the past two decades. Serbian people will not forget that.

I hope that this Japanese cherry blossom tree will grow and spread its branches along with the strengthening of Serbia – Japan friendship and cooperation. I trust and believe that, in the period ahead, there will be many more important top-level visits, even more intensive cooperation in all areas, along with the political dialogue, characterized by understanding, solidarity and mutual respect. Serbia will be truly committed to these goals in the future.
Thank you.”

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First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic had a meeting today with Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Liberia Varney A. Sirleaf.

In a cordial conversation, they reaffirmed the friendly relations existing between the two countries. The readiness of the Government of the Republic of Serbia to upgrade both the bilateral cooperation and the political dialogue to the highest level possible has been particularly underlined.

The collocutors agreed that it was necessary to work to enhance the two countries’ cooperation in the areas of economy, agriculture, education, telecommunications, infrastructure, defence and policing.

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