Statement by Minister Dacic at the New Year’s reception
Full statement by Minister Dacic reads as follows:
„Your Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year on behalf of the Republic of Serbia and on my own behalf, and that 2024 brings us good health, peace and prosperity. It is my pleasure to be able to address you again this year at the traditional reception organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the eve of the New Year according to the Julian calendar, which we in the Republic of Serbia proudly refer to as the Serbian New Year.
At the beginning, I would like to thank all the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia who, with their dedicated efforts, provided a significant contribution to the fulfilment of our foreign policy goals in the previous year of 2023. Dear colleagues, before us all, this year as well, is a responsible and honourable and task - to present our Serbia to the world in the best possible light and as it really is.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The year behind us was extremely difficult and challenging, not only for the Republic of Serbia, but also for the whole world. It was marked by tragic conflicts and destruction, enormous human suffering and casualties, as well as problems related to energy security, food shortages and financial instability. We deeply sympathize and share the grief for all the lives lost in the conflicts around the world, including the tragic events in the Middle East and Ukraine. We are convinced that only constructive dialogue and diplomatic solutions can bring peace. All conflicts need to be resolved at the negotiating table, there is no alternative to that.
I sincerely hope that this year will mark the beginning of a new chapter - a chapter in which we will manage to restore mutual trust and reach greater understanding and solidarity, thus creating perspectives for a safer and better future.
Dear friends,
The Republic of Serbia, as before, will continue to pursue its own independent foreign policy, above all based on the preservation of national and state interests, but always observing the fundamental principles of international law. It is the consistent application of these principles, which we all agreed on a long time ago, that is the key guarantor of global peace and security.
That is why the Republic of Serbia will not give up advocating for the universal validity of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of United Nations, regardless of the fact that we ourselves are still suffering the consequences of their selective application. It is extremely important that, most member states of the United Nations, do not accept double standards. In this context, we are deeply grateful to all who support the efforts being made by the Republic of Serbia to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity, which remains our most important priority that we will continue to work on indefatigably in 2024.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The issue of Kosovo and Metohija is for us an issue of the utmost national and state importance. Unfortunately, the situation in our southern Province is extremely difficult and complex. Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija live their lives facing permanent danger, tensions and uncertainty, being deprived of basic human rights and in continuous fear for their own lives. In addition to return to Kosovo and Metohija still not being made possible for over 200,000 internally displaced persons, the fact that, in the past year alone, as many as 13% of Serbs have left our Province, due to the frequent terror and pressure that Pristina exerts on the Serbian population, is raising further concerns.
Therefore, it is of crucial importance for us to unconditionally ensure the survival and safety of the Serb community in Kosovo and Metohija, which is why we remain a constructive factor in the Dialogue, despite the fact that Pristina, for more than a decade, has persistently refused to fulfil its obligations assumed long ago.
I repeat once again - we will not recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, neither explicitly nor implicitly, and we will not allow that our southern Province becomes a member of the United Nations.
The Republic of Serbia has the same right as any other country in the world to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Therefore, we will continue to insist on consistent adherence to international law and the legally binding United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.
Excellencies,
I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate that full membership of the European Union is a strategic commitment and priority of the foreign policy of the Republic of Serbia. For that reason, we will continue to implement comprehensive reforms, primarily with the aim of further economic and social progress, for the benefit of the citizens of our country.
I need to emphasize that we are not pleased that the European integration process of the Republic of Serbia is taking so long because there is no objective reason for its delay. While some in the European Union wonder whether new member states would contribute to the Union, we are wondering whether the integration process actually makes sense if it does not rely on criteria defined in advance, with new requirements constantly being set instead.
Therefore, I sincerely hope that in 2024, the numerous results that we have achieved in the past period will be recognized and adequately evaluated. The Republic of Serbia as well as the Western Balkans should have had a place in the European Union a long time ago.
Ladies and gentlemen,
At every opportunity, we emphasize the importance we attach to the stability of our region, the promotion of cooperation and the fostering of best possible neighbourly relations. It is true that relations in the region are complex and often burdened by problems from the past. However, it is important that, regardless of the differences that exist between us, there is also the will to continue on the path of understanding and respect, focusing on what connects us.
Distinguished guests,
The Republic of Serbia is committed to developing and strengthening cooperation with countries from all over the world. In 2024 as well, we will build new ones, but we will not forget our old partnerships and traditional friendships.
As was the case so far, we wish to promote all-round bilateral relations with the most important actors of international politics - the United States, Russia and China, as well as with European partners.
I am especially pleased that the Republic of Serbia is successfully enhancing relations with friendly countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We want the historical closeness and mutual respect between our peoples to be a solid foundation for our cooperation in the future.
At the same time, we strive to develop cooperation with the BRICS, ASEAN and Non-Aligned Movement countries, which play a significant role at the international level. That is why I am very proud that last year I had the honour to personally sign the instrument of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia on behalf of the Republic of Serbia, motivated by the desire to further strengthen our presence in that part of the world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Despite numerous challenges and complex geopolitical circumstances, the Republic of Serbia managed to preserve its stability and resolutely continue on the path of strong progress. The extraordinary economic results achieved by the Republic of Serbia for years are a convincing demonstration of the success of our country, clearly reflecting that we are an indispensable factor both in the regional and in the wider global context.
Therefore, in the period ahead as well, our diplomatic activities will be aimed at promoting the economic potential of our country and continuing to attract foreign investments. In addition to the fact that the Republic of Serbia offers highly favourable conditions for doing business and investment, our unique feature is that we have friends all over the world and that we are open to cooperation with countries from all regions.
Guided by great ambitions, but also firmly believing in our potential, our diplomatic and consular network, including more than 100 honorary consuls that we have around the world, plays an important role in the achievement of economic goals. We will strive to jointly contribute to the further economic development of the Republic of Serbia this year as well.
Distinguished guests,
I will proudly point out only some of the important diplomatic activities and results that the Republic of Serbia achieved in the previous year. For the third time, Serbia was elected as a member of the UNESCO Executive Board. Furthermore, at the initiative of the Republic of Serbia, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the resolution "International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development for the period 2024-2033”. We managed to successfully chair the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) amid circumstances that were anything but easy.
I would especially like to point out that we are immensely proud that numerous countries have shown their trust in us by selecting the Republic of Serbia, i.e. Belgrade, as the host of the prestigious international event EXPO 2027, which will be held from 15 May to 15 August 2027 in Belgrade.
This event will be a unique opportunity to promote the economic, tourism and cultural potential of our country. The Republic of Serbia will use this opportunity to present to the whole world its development potential, human and economic capacities, as well as the hospitality characterizing the Serbian people. I hope that your countries will participate in EXPO 2027 in Belgrade and that they will experience the true spirit of the Republic of Serbia and our people.
Excellencies,
Serbia is an old European country, whose people sacrificed their lives for the sake of common civilizational goals, of which we are reminded this very year - on the 110th anniversary of the First World War, the so-called Great War, in which Serbia lost almost half of its male population.
Serbia is not a newly formed state. This is evidenced by the particular years when we established diplomatic relations with the following countries, for example, in no ranking order: with Austria in 1874, with Belgium in 1886, with Venezuela in 1882, with Greece in 1879, with Egypt in 1908, with Italy in 1879, with Japan in 1882, with Cuba in 1902 , with Hungary in 1921, with Norway in 1917, with Portugal in 1882, with Romania in 1879, with Russia in 1838, with the United States of America in 1881, with Türkiye in 1879, with the United Kingdom in 1837, with France in 1839, with the Netherlands in 1891.
As you know, the Republic of Serbia has been pursuing an independent and sovereign foreign policy ever since, guided by Serbian interests. That is why it is very offensive when my colleagues from influential countries say that we are someone's "extended arm". And whose "extended arm" were we when we refused to join Hitler's Tripartite Pact on 27 March 1941, or when we said “no” to Stalin in 1948, or when we condemned the military intervention in Czechoslovakia and the assassination of Patrice Lumumba in the Congo, the war in Vietnam or when we founded the Non-Aligned Movement?
Whose extended arm is Pristina then, since it is tolerated that for more than 10 years it fails to implement the Brussels Agreement, which was guaranteed by the EU?
Excellencies,
I am the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia for the eighth year already, and I do not know if I will remain on that post. We may be seeing each other for the last time in this capacity, but I want you to clearly remember - Serbia is no one's extended arm. All of us here are the long arm of the Serbian people and the state of Serbia only, the small but proud country of Serbia. That hand will never sign anything that is detrimental to our national and state interests, while at the same time fighting for peace and respect for the fundamental principles of international law.
Dear friends,
I sincerely hope that 2024 will bring us all more wisdom, patience and mutual understanding. I wish you the best of luck on a personal and professional level and that your stay and work in our Serbia be the most enjoyable period of your professional career, but also that it remain etched in your memory.
Thank you. “
