Serbian foreign minister meets with new US envoy for the Balkans: "His is not an easy task" (VIDEO)

Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic says his meeting with US special representative for the Balkans Matthew Palmer in Bled, Slovenia, was positive, and that he hopes Palmer would play a positive role in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

Dacic told reporters in Bled, where he is taking part in the Bled Strategic Forum, that we should wait until the appointment of the new EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell and the transition from Mogherini to Borrell, as well as for a new government in Pristina.

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"The possibility is opening up to continue the dialogue, but it's not realistic to expect that to happen before a new government is formed in Pristina," Dacic said.

He added that this was his first meeting with Palmer since he was appointed as special representative for the Balkans, although they have known each other for over ten years, and that they now analyzed Palmer's priorities, which he says are many.

"His is not an easy task. Serbia will be constructive. There is also the situation related to Bosnia and Herzegovina, whether the EU will start (membership) negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, whether Kosovo will receive visa liberalization, what is the perspective of the situation in the region," Dacic said.

He added that we may sometimes think that relations between Belgrade and Pristina are their top priority, but there are many topics.

He reiterated that, with regard to the continuation of the dialogue, the results of the elections in Kosovo and the formation of a new government must be awaited.

"We hope that government will be more constructive and positive and that it will abolish taxes (on Serbian goods) and open up the space for further dialogue," said Dacic.

ON THE THUNDERBOLT STRIKE

Dacic told reporters in Bled that last night, when a thunderbolt struck the plane he was traveling on to Slovenia just before the landing, there was a great flash of light and that a crash was heard inside the plane.

"I've never experienced it and I don't know if it was dangerous. I know the pilots said we fared well, and that the thunderbolt didn't puncture holes anywhere. We lived through that, too," Dacic said, responding to questions after his meeting with Matthew Palmer.

He also said that he saw Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Jankovic last night, adding jokingly that they went out to celebrate the fact he and his delegation had survived.

"He also told me that he was not sure it happened above Slovenia - that it was probably above Croatia," Dacic said with a smile.

EXPECTATIONS FROM CROATIA

Serbia's foreign minister expects Croatia to play a positive role during its upcoming EU presidency when it comes to enlargement, and to help other Western Balkan countries.

"There are always various statements that draw attention from some of the main directions the region should go, we look forward to Croatia's upcoming EU presidency and we expect it will help other Western Balkan countries and advocate in favor of enlargement. This is in the interest of the whole EU, not only of our region, I think we should all be much smarter and more rational when it comes to problems within our region," Dacic said in response to reporters' questions in Bled.

He stressed that Croatia will certainly not play a negative role and that he expects it will try to prove itself as a constructive factor and a country that will assist the whole region.

Asked about Serbia-Slovenia relations, the head of Serbian diplomacy said it has been agreed to once again hold a joint session of the two governments, adding that bilateral relations are good.

"We should look for common interests, we are grateful for the support regarding European integration, we expect Slovenia to have an understanding for the specific nature of the problem regarding Kosovo and Metohija, that is, our emotions and feelings, but also the legal issues when it comes to a historical part of Serbia," said Dacic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)