25 October 2021

Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Helga Schmid, paid a visit to Belgrade during which she met with the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, the Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Selaković.

President Vučić talked with Secretary General Schmid about the participation of this institution in the reform processes in Serbia, as well as about the priorities in future cooperation, Serbia's European path and reforms in the field of rule of law.

Vučić emphasized the importance of cooperation with the OSCE, whose experiences are important for the improvement of reform processes in Serbia, especially in the advisory aspect during the implementation of reforms, as well as in supporting the strengthening of democratic institutions, encouraging dialogue and supporting the civil sector.

"For Serbia, work on the continuation of reforms is of key interest, both for the further progress of the country in all areas and in order to preserve stability in the region", pointed out President Vučić, adding that work on further improving regional connections is one of the fundamental starting points of Serbia’s foreign policy, while its priority is full membership in the European Union.

In that context, the President especially emphasized that Serbia is ready to speed up the accession process and that it is why it has accepted the new negotiation methodology.

Secretary General Schmid emphasized that the OSCE, as a reliable partner of Serbia, will continue to transfer experiences to Serbian institutions regarding best practices on our reform path. She praised Serbia for the results and obvious progress in all areas of importance, as shown by the latest European Commission Report, and said that progress has been made especially in the field of economy and contribution to regional stability and integration.

She particularly emphasized the OSCE's readiness to support the improvement of the media situation in Serbia, as well as in the area of the rule of law and the implementation of green agenda standards.

The interlocutors also stated that the role of the OSCE is extremely important for regional security and that Serbia, in accordance with the principles of this organization, is firmly determined to continue to make a full contribution to regional stability.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabić talked with Schmid about the reforms that the Government of Serbia is implementing in numerous areas, especially when it comes to the rule of law, media freedoms and security of journalists, but also about cooperation in the region and global problems facing the entire Western Balkans.

Brnabić expressed gratitude to the OSCE Secretary General for the mission's support to Serbia in key reforms, emphasizing that she is equally personally committed to both constitutional changes and the safety of journalists, especially women in journalism, because, as she emphasized, it is a red line that cannot be crossed.

One of the topics discussed was the participation of women in the public sphere and their representation in leading positions, and the Prime Minister pointed out that she was pleased to say that in some local governments and cities in Serbia, women are in the lead in these leadership positions, while their representation in the Office for IT and eGovernment is as much as 60 percent.

That was not the plan, but the reason lies in the fact that women did the job the best, Brnabić underlined.

The interlocutors exchanged views on areas in which it is possible to deepen Serbia's cooperation with the OSCE Office, such as regional cooperation, especially when it comes to organized crime and trafficking.

Climate change has been identified as a topic of particular importance, where Schmid added that the Mission will continue to provide expert assistance and co-operation in all areas that Serbia deems necessary.