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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Revitalisation of role, importance of OSCE

Belgrade, 4 December 2015

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic, who is also the outgoing OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (CiO), stated that Serbia’s Chairmanship managed to revitalise the role and importance of this demanding organisation, and Serbia has shown it can be a serious partner in the international arena.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Ivica Dacic

Author: Tanjug

Dacic said during a break in the final session of the 22nd OSCE Ministerial Council, at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister of Germany and incoming OSCE CiO Frank-Walter Steinmeier, that the tone of mutual addressing of the great powers and a series of bilateral meetings showed that Serbia can be a place where they will look for compromises.

I think we have used this year for excellent cooperation between our ministries and our two countries and thus we have contributed to the further promotion of German-Serbian relations, Dacic said.

Author: Tanjug

I tried to revitalise the role of the institution of Troika along with former OSCE CiO, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Didier Burkhalter with whom I have had five meetings this year, which has not happened in the past. We helped each other. I will be at your service as a member of the Troika next year in everything that Steinmeier thinks Serbia can help, Dacic stated.

He concluded that the fact that Germany is a member of the Normandy format can contribute to the successful work of the OSCE.

Steinmeier, the new CiO in the next one-year term from 1 January 2016, announced that the main priority for Germany will be to strengthen security in the space covered by the OSCE.

Taking over the chairmanship from Dacic, he said that his impression is that the Belgrade meeting of ministers of OSCE participating states was dominated by a more open approach and a more conciliatory tone than the previous conferences.

In the final speech, the German Foreign Minister said that the world lives in a turbulent time with many big challenges, which were the topics of the Belgrade meeting.

I would like us to have more harmonisation in the draft declarations from the meeting, Steinmeier said and underlined that problems can be solved only through cooperation and talks.

I am convinced that the OSCE can be useful in addressing the problems and crises because it has a number of instruments that can be used and should be strengthened, Steinmeier explained.

He referred to three very important points - the rapid response to the crisis, the reduction of armaments, and the future of the European security order and pointed out that the treatment of the crisis in Ukraine showed that the OSCE can and must react faster. He also stated the need to revise the 2016 budget.

Author: Tanjug

Steinmeier welcomed the fact that on the sidelines of the gathering in Belgrade, the ministers of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation and Turkey had the opportunity to talk about the incident of shooting down the Russian aircraft.

According to him, during its OSCE Chairmanship, Germany will deal with solving conflicts in Ukraine and crises in other parts of the world which fall under the competence of this organisation.

He recalled that Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz is also now a member of OSCE Troika.

Steinmeier thanked the outgoing CiO Dacic on his excellent work and warm welcome in Belgrade.

In turbulent times it is important to rule properly, Steinmeier said and announced that the next OSCE Ministerial Council will be held in Hamburg, the port, which in his country is considered the German door to the world.

We wish to contribute to encouraging dialogue, and that common security in the OSCE area be re-established and strengthened. We want everyone in the OSCE to be focused on the principles underlying this organisation. If we do that then we will meet the expectations of citizens who want, in times of crises and conflict, more security and stability, Steinmeier stated, concluding that the common goal of all must be the equal wish of all citizens for peaceful coexistence.