Dacic: Serbia’s First Diplomatic Priority Is to Protect Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity

Ivica Dacic, Serbian Foreign Minister (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said in Belgrade on Jan. 13 that the first priority of Serbian diplomacy this year would be to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.

During a traditional New Year’s reception which he hosted for government officials and diplomats, Minister Dacic said that “a difficult road awaits Serbia.” Dacic said that “the selective implementation of international law came as a surprise” to Serbia and thanked the states that had refused to recognize Kosovo’s independence and those that withdrew their recognition of Kosovo.

Discussing solutions for the issue of Kosovo, Dacic named “three red lines." “The first is that everything that has been signed needs to be implemented, including U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Brussels agreement. Second, Serbia cannot recognize Kosovo's independence, nor can it consent to Kosovo’s seat in the United Nations. Third, the rights of the Serbs in Kosovo have to ensured,” the foreign minister said.

Dacic also said that joining the European Union (EU) remained Serbia’s priority, but that “a breakthrough” was needed in the process, as well as the readiness of some states to support the enlargement process. He added that Belgrade was trying to align with the Union’s foreign policy, but that “it is unfair to expect” full alignment when not all of the Union's members were prepared to support the enlargement process.