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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia committed to further development of cooperation with NATO

Belgrade, 22 July 2020

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic stated today that the Belgrade NATO Week for the eighth year in a row provides an opportunity for open discussion on many important foreign policy and security issues of interest not only for Serbia but also for the region and the broader environment.

At the opening of this gathering, Dacic pointed out that by intensively initiating regional topics, Serbia wants to contribute to the stability of the region and its accelerated economic growth, through initiatives to increase investment and trade, as a basis for accelerated economic development.

Serbia is fulfilling its obligations very responsibly, acting in accordance with the agreements reached and expecting others to do the same, he stressed, adding that partnership with NATO is an inseparable part of Serbia's overall foreign policy position and efforts to keep the region permanently stable.

According to him, these relations are clearly defined and are based on partnership cooperation in accordance with the policy of military neutrality of Serbia, without striving for membership in the Alliance and other military alliances, but at the same time with openness to further improve political dialogue and practical cooperation with NATO in all areas of common interest.

Dacic underlined that Serbia is committed to further development of cooperation with the Alliance, as well as with members and partners on a bilateral basis.

He reiterated that the policy of military neutrality of Serbia is not questioned at any time, it remains our fundamental and recognisable position that NATO, its members and partners, as well as other countries, fully respect.

We expect the Alliance to understand and support our priorities, which especially refers to Kosovo-Metohija, since the situation in the province is the main political and security challenge for Serbia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated.

He underlined that only a compromise solution, reached through dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and with the support of the international community, can ensure lasting peace and stability.

That is why it is very important that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina has resumed after more than a year and a half, Dacic pointed out and added that it was important for Serbia that the KFOR mandate be fully implemented, which, as the only legal and legitimate military formation in the province, is an important guarantor of the implementation of the Brussels agreement and the only guarantor of the security and survival of Serbs, their property, religious and cultural heritage.

Serbia strongly opposes the transformation of the so-called Kosovo Security Forces into the so-called Kosovo Army, because it violates UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and endangers regional and wider stability, and creates the potential for causing instability.

According to him, that is why it is very important that such provocative and dangerous moves by Pristina be met with a clear and unequivocal condemnation of international factors.

Dacic highlighted the importance of the fact that NATO and Serbia are directed at each other and that, despite the tragic past and bombing of the then FRY, joint engagement and cooperation is imperative for the future, primarily for the sake of the stability of the region as a key condition for prosperity.