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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia will not abandon fundamental principles of UN Charter

Belgrade/Kampala, 18 January 2024

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic said today in Kampala that our country unreservedly advocates respect for the universal principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Dacic's speech at the Ministerial Meeting of the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Uganda follows in its entirety:

“Dear Chairman,

Dear Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank the Honorable President of the Republic of Uganda, Mr. Yoweri Museveni, for the invitation to participate in the Non-Aligned Movement Summit. For me, it is a special honor, but also a kind of tradition, to address you again this year on behalf of the Republic of Serbia.

We are particularly pleased that, in the coming period, the Non-Aligned Movement will be chaired by an African country - our friend the Republic of Uganda, which, on this occasion, we also congratulate for assuming this responsible role. We are convinced that, despite the complex situation in the world, the Republic of Uganda, together with the other countries of the Movement, will work successfully to overcome all challenges and achieve our common goals.

At the same time, I would also like to congratulate the Republic of Azerbaijan, which successfully presided over the Movement during the previous years, under no easy conditions. I am convinced that the Summit in Kampala will also confirm that a world in which understanding, cooperation and solidarity reign - is still possible and achievable.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Serbia has always strived to create a fairer and better world. This is evidenced, among other things, by the fact that the former Yugoslavia, whose successors were the Republic of Serbia, was among the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement – a movement that significantly influenced the creation of international relations based on respect for the universal principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. Even today, the Republic of Serbia consistently and firmly advocates for the observance of these principles.

We are proud of belonging to the European family of nations, but also of the fact that we are part of both the history and the present of the Non-Aligned Movement. We will continue to conduct an independent and independent foreign policy, based above all on the preservation of national and state interests, but always respecting the basic principles of international law.

Regardless of whether anyone likes it or not, as well as all the pressures we are often exposed to because of it, Serbia has not and will never turn its back on its friends. We know very well that sincere friendships are rare. That's why we try to preserve and nurture such friendships, based on an indomitable libertarian spirit. Events like this are a good opportunity to remind ourselves again of all the bonds that make our countries always a safe support for each other.

The friendship and mutual respect I'm talking about have been proven by many of you, present here, by showing your trust and supporting the Republic of Serbia when it was chosen as the host of the Specialized World Exhibition EXPO 2027. It will be a great honor and pleasure for us to host you all in Belgrade in 2027. when you will have the opportunity to feel the hospitality, characteristic of the Serbian people, and the true spirit of our country.

Dear friends,

The Republic of Serbia is a militarily neutral country, committed to its strategic commitment - full membership in the European Union. At the same time, we are strengthening our traditional and strong friendships with African, Latin American and Asia-Pacific countries, and within the Non-Aligned Movement.

That is why I am extremely proud that my country, a little more than two years ago, hosted a commemorative gathering on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Belgrade back in 1961. From Belgrade, once again, messages of peace and solidarity were heard, as well as determination and a call to build a common future - based on cooperation, tolerance and mutual respect.

Your Excellencies,

Unfortunately, we are witnessing tragic conflicts and destruction, with enormous human suffering and victims. The Republic of Serbia and the Serbian people deeply sympathize and share the pain of all the lives lost in the conflicts happening around the world, including the tragic events in the Middle East and Ukraine. We are convinced that only constructive dialogue and diplomatic solutions can lead to peace. All conflicts are resolved at the negotiating table and there is no alternative to that. Current geopolitical events point to the lack of effective multilateralism and confirm the harmfulness of unilateral action and double standards.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the case of the Republic of Serbia, international law and the order in which the sovereignty of states is inviolable and the borders are immutable have been violated the most. Such precedents lead to the meaningless of these principles, which we all agreed on a long time ago - not only agreed, but also obliged to respect them. That is why the Republic of Serbia will not give up advocating for the universal validity of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, regardless of the fact that we ourselves are still suffering the consequences of their selective application.

It is encouraging that we are not alone in our endeavours. On the contrary, for most member states of the United Nations, as well as the Non-Aligned Movement - double standards do not exist. I also use this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you who support the efforts of the Republic of Serbia to preserve sovereignty and territorial integrity, without recognizing the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

We are aware that it is not easy for those who stand by our country today in its just fight to preserve territorial integrity, just as it was not easy for us to stand by many of you when it was necessary - in your fight for national liberation.

We trust in you - our friends and comrades in the joint fight against the unilateral and forced redrawing of the borders of internationally recognized states. And this time I will repeat that we will not recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, nor will we allow the so-called Kosovo to become a member of the United Nations.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I will also repeat that the Republic of Serbia is committed to peace. Our commitment and willingness to resolve the issue of Kosovo and Metohija peacefully is a reflection of our strength and not weakness, as some try to present it. We approach the Dialogue responsibly and constructively, while Pristina, with its continuous and destabilizing unilateral moves, persistently refuses to fulfill its obligations assumed long ago for more than a decade. One year is too much, and 11 years is unacceptable.

In this difficult struggle, our key priority remains - unconditionally ensuring the survival and safety of Serbs in our southern province. The Serbian people have lived and will live in Kosovo and Metohija for centuries.

Excellencies,

All the challenges that the world still faces - from basic existential problems, such as poverty, hunger and inequality, to energy security and financial instability, unequivocally point to the necessity of greater cooperation and solidarity of our peoples.

I am proud that the Republic of Serbia showed its solidarity when it was most needed, and when the world, under the impact of the pandemic, faced a great test of the values on which it was founded. We were among the first to buy vaccines from all manufacturers, from East and West, without politicizing public health issues. Having secured a sufficient number of vaccines for its population, the Republic of Serbia sent vaccines against the Kovid-19 virus to its neighbors in the Balkans, but also to our friends, especially in Africa.

And during 2022, when we all faced the challenge of food supply disruptions, the Republic of Serbia, in the spirit of solidarity, sent more than 300,000 tons of food to the countries of Africa and Asia.

Also, I would like to emphasize that through the "World in Serbia" program, which provides annual scholarships to around two hundred students from developing countries around the world, we record exceptional results and demonstrate our permanent determination to nurture and develop cooperation with countries from all regions.

The test of international solidarity is still ongoing, and in order to pass it, we will have to show greater unity and care for each other in the coming period as well. I believe that, precisely on these foundations, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries can contribute to the joint solution of existing world challenges.

Dear friends,

Today's world is not the same as the one in which the Non-Aligned Movement was born. The Movement itself is no longer the same, but the relevance of the principles of sovereign equality of states and solidarity, on which the foundations of the Movement were built, must not be questioned with the changes on the international level brought by the 21st century. In protecting these principles, you can always count on the unreserved support and partnership of the Republic of Serbia.

Thank you for your attention,“ Dacic concluded.