Dacic: Issue of Kosovo and Metohija is of top national and state interest

He added that Serbia's full membership in the EU is also on the list of foreign policy priorities

Serbian First Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic said today, addressing participants in the Diplomatic Academy event, that the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is of the highest national and state interest and that preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia is the top foreign policy priority.

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Addressing the participants of the basic diplomatic and diplomatic-consular training program for 2023/2024, Dacic said that Serbia, as before, will lead an independent foreign policy, based above all on safeguarding its national and state interests, but always with respect for basic principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

"You have a very responsible task aheadof you to make every effort in acquiring new and necessary knowledge in order to represent the national interests of Serbia in the best possible way. You need to always keep in mind the foreign policy priorities of the Republic of Serbia, which I'm sure you are well aware of," he said.

Dacic added that the list of foreign policy priorities includes full membership in the EU along with preserving military neutrality, improving good-neighborly and regional cooperation, developing relations with all actors of international politics, both bilaterally and multilaterally, through building new ones, but also strengthening old and traditional friendships.

"Serbia, as a country that has always had a clear and principled position and role at the international level, is a reliable and credible partner that strives to contribute to regional, European and global security. Although we faced numerous challenges and very complex geopolitical circumstances, we succeeded in preserving our stability and continued on the path of strong progress, as evidenced by excellent diplomatic and economic results achieved for years now," Dacic stressed.

Dacic added that there was great interest this year as well, and that in addition to the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the basic diplomatic training program will also be attended by employees of state administration bodies and the public sector in Serbia, as well as a representative of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

"I am glad that this year we have participants from the Serb Republic (RS, Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina) as well. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs attaches great importance to professional training of personnel who, within the framework of state and public institutions of the Republic of Serbia, deal with international cooperation, which is of particular importance at a time of a dramatic complication of foreign policy relations," said Dacic.

Dacic stressed that knowledge is the main weapon in diplomatic battles.

"That's why we expect you to approach the Diplomatic Academy seriously, responsibly and conscientiously. We also expect you to view the knowledge and skills you will acquire at the Diplomatic Academy as a kind of introduction and guide in your further daily training and analyses of often difficult-to-understand relations in international politics," he emphasized.

The minister pointed out that the activities of Serbian diplomats are also aimed at promoting the country's economic potential and attracting more foreign investment.

"I believe that picking the Republic of Serbia and Belgrade to host EXPO 2027 will be a unique opportunity to promote the economic, tourism and cultural potential of our country, which we will work on together," Dacic said.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)