Belgrade/Vienna, 16 Jan 2015 – First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic spoke yesterday in Vienna, where he presented to the OSCE Permanent Council priorities of Serbia’s chairmanship of the OSCE, with heads of OSCE field missions and institutions of this organisation.

Dacic, who is also Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE said that Serbia, as a country in which the OSCE has long been present, attaches great importance to this organisation’s field missions, whose activities will be supported during the country’s chairmanship.

He noted that regional cooperation is one of the priorities of the presidency, and added that good neighbourly relations are not something that should be taken for granted, but must be nurtured.

According to him, this is a process that requires additional efforts, mutual understanding and a lot of patience.

The First Deputy Prime Minister said that the most important task during Serbia’s chairmanship of the OSCE will be to work on securing the return of peace and stability in Ukraine.

Speaking about cooperation with institutions of the OSCE, Dacic underlined that Serbia will intensify its good cooperation with them during its chairmanship.

He expressed full support for the work of his special and personal representatives, especially those dealing with long-lasting conflicts, adding that their role in supporting all efforts that could lead to resolution of these disputes is of enormous importance.

The First Deputy Prime Minister said that greater attention will be paid to the region of southeastern Europe. 

Regional cooperation in the Western Balkans for years has not been just a rhetoric, but is giving practical results, Dacic underlined, adding that the missions in the region must continue to cooperate and coordinate their activities in order to maintain positive dynamics in the region.