25 October 2021

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, met with the Secretary General of the OSCE, Helga Schmid, who is on her first visit to the Republic of Serbia.

After the meeting, Minister Selaković said that the Republic of Serbia considers the OSCE one of the most important regional security organizations, which in today's security architecture represents a platform for dialogue and a unique format for jointly facing security challenges, not only on the European continent, but significantly wider.

"In a cordial and friendly conversation that began yesterday during the arrival of Ms. Schmid in Serbia, until this morning's meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we were able to exchange opinions and views on how we see the future work of the organization, but also to point out what we are especially proud of, and that is the fact that we have extremely good cooperation with the OSCE", stated the head of Serbian diplomacy.

In a conversation with the OSCE Secretary General, Minister Selaković reminded of Serbia's commitment to the OSCE and the principles of that organization, which came to the fore especially during Serbia's chairmanship of the OSCE in 2015, but also during the chairmanship of the Forum for Security Cooperation in 2017.

"Towards the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, I expressed the readiness of the Republic of Serbia to work together with other participating countries to reaffirm the principles of the organization, especially those established by the Helsinki Final Act", said Minister Selaković.

According to him, what is specific about the Republic of Serbia in relation to the other 56 participating countries is the fact that there are two OSCE missions in our country, one with its headquarters in Belgrade, the other with its headquarters in Pristina.

"We are especially proud of our cooperation with the Mission based in Belgrade, which makes a very important, huge and selfless contribution to the reform processes in Serbia and those aimed at creating a better, more orderly and efficient society in which we all want to live and which is such as is necessary in a country that is a candidate for EU membership, which is strategically determined for the European path and which, in everything it does, tries to reach the highest European level of order", stressed Minister Selaković.

He conveyed that he also talked with the Secretary General of the OSCE about the functioning of the OSCE mission in Kosovo and Metohija.

"It was an opportunity for us to acquaint Ms. Schmid with the latest events, especially in mid-September and October, with growing tensions and the fact that in the last 10 months the number of ethnically motivated attacks on the Serb population in Kosovo and Metohija has increased significantly compared to the same period last year", said Minister Selaković.

He stressed that the functioning of the OSCE mission based in Pristina is especially important for the continuation of talks on Kosovo and Metohija, which, as Minister Selaković said, we consider the most important international status-neutral presence by a regional international organization on the ground, and that status-neutral presence is in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

"We especially expressed our gratitude for the work of Ambassador Braathu during his mandate as the head of OMiK and paid special attention to the program for human rights and communities that began operating at that time and which makes an exceptional contribution to the functioning of the Mission itself", said the head of Serbian diplomacy.

As he conveyed, a special topic of today's conversation was the situation in the region and he informed his interlocutor about our positions in relation to the main events in the region.

"I especially emphasized our commitment to building good neighborly relations, preserving stability and strengthening regional integration, especially emphasizing the 'Open Balkans' initiative, as well as everything aimed at strengthening communication between countries in our region, but also strengthening cooperation between citizens of our countries", said Minister Selaković.

He thanked Schmid for her commitment to our region and for her interest and understanding of the issues and challenges we face, as well as for the constructiveness in the talks they have had so far.

"You have an honest and reliable partner in Serbia. We will continue to behave in this way. You are always welcome", stated Minister Selaković and added that each of her visits should be a support to make Serbia an even more organized and stable society.

Minister Selaković said that Serbia, acting responsibly, seriously and wisely as it has done so far, will make a key contribution to preserving peace and stability in the region, but also to promoting what are the best European values, especially when it comes to what is under the competencies of the OSCE.

The OSCE Secretary General pointed out that the conversation with Minister Selaković was constructive and that they emphasized the importance of the role of the OSCE as the largest international security organization that has a unified approach to peace and security.

"Peace and security should be seen in the context of economic and environmental issues, but also in relation to human rights", Schmid said.

She said that the OSCE's partnership with Serbia remains strong, and added that Serbia, since chairing the organization in 2015, has contributed to stability in the region and beyond.

As she said, the issues discussed at the meeting were reforms and progress of Serbia, the work of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, as well as reforms in the security sector, which, as she pointed out, will make the police better in the service of citizens.

"Our mission will continue to support the implementation of legislation and reforms in order to achieve the set goals", Schmid said.

She praised Serbia's efforts to establish contacts among the citizens of the region, emphasizing that Serbia is a leader in regional initiatives and that it has shown its commitment to good neighborly relations.

During her first visit to Serbia as OSCE Secretary General, Schmid will also meet with President Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, National Assembly Speaker Ivica Dačić and the Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Janković.