Minister Dacic gives opening remarks at the annual meeting with consular representatives accredited in the Republic of Serbia

After the Minister’s opening remarks the attendees were also addressed by Ambassador Mirjana Zivkovic, who spoke on behalf of the Consular Affairs Sector, and Biljana Maric, Assistant Director of the Serbian Government’s Office for Information Technologies and eGovernment.

Full statement by Minister Dacic reads as follows:

„Dear consular representatives,

Esteemed colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to address you again this year at the event that our Ministry of Foreign Affairs organizes for foreign consular representatives in the Republic of Serbia. At the same time, I also take this opportunity to wish you a successful start to 2024 and that the New Year brings good health, peace and prosperity to everyone.

Aware of the role and importance of the work done by consular services, we arranged a gathering of foreign consular representatives in the Republic of Serbia this year again, in an effort to make such events a kind of tradition.

These meetings undoubtedly contribute to strengthening our cooperation, establishing closer contacts and exchanging experiences in order to discharge all consular duties as efficiently as possible. Rest assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as all other institutions of the Republic of Serbia, are at your disposal for any assistance you may require in your activities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

All of you, who have decided to work in the consular service, are very well aware of the dedication and level of responsibility necessary for the successful performance of consular tasks, which are primarily focused on providing assistance and support to citizens abroad. Your daily activities require special attention and continuous dedication, but also the aspiration that each individual case is resolved in a timely manner and with the utmost care for each individual.

However, bearing in mind the very complex and challenging international circumstances, the nature of consular activities is far more complex today and is becoming broader and increasingly important over time.

This is reflected in the extensive efforts being made by consular services of all countries to provide assistance to citizens in crisis situations of all kinds, including those caused by current armed conflicts around the world. That is why a good consul needs to always be available and ready to act, even in difficult and extraordinary circumstances.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Republic of Serbia recognizes the major importance of the consular service, as evidenced by our extensive consular network. It comprises 22 consulates general, 1 consulate, 2 consular offices, 72 consular departments at embassies and as many as 100 consulates headed by honorary consuls abroad, which also speaks of the developed friendly, economic and cultural ties that our country maintains around the world.

At the same time, the challenges we face require high efficiency in the work done, which is why the Republic of Serbia continues to modernize the operation of its consular service both in the country and abroad. Therefore, I am particularly pleased that, during the previous year, in 2023, we developed an important platform that will unify all the services that the state authorities of the Republic of Serbia provide to foreigners, and which is expected to launch soon. Also, I would like to point out an important new feature in the field of visa policy, namely the introduction of electronic visas, which we expect this year.

Esteemed guests,

I assure you that in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia you will always have a dependable and credible interlocutor, as well as a reliable partner supporting you in all matters. 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 beautiful period of your professional career, but also remain an unforgettable personal memory.

In conclusion, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all employees of the Consular Affairs Sector of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, as well as our diplomatic and consular missions, for their dedicated, responsible and diligent efforts.

Thank you.“

At the meeting, which was attended by around 70 consular representatives, Ambassador Mirjana Zivkovic briefly reflected on the results achieved in the previous year, and in that context, she thanked all the guests for the assistance provided and the cooperation maintained.

The Assistant Director of the Serbian Government’s Office for Information Technologies and eGovernment, Biljana Maric, informed the consular representatives about the plans to launch a single platform that will provide unified access to services intended for foreign citizens.