Minister Dacic at the Ministerial meeting on the Western Balkans in Rome

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic participated today in Rome at the Ministerial meeting on the Western Balkans.

Full statement by Minister Dacic reads as follows:

Dear Minister Tajani,

Dear European colleagues,

I would like, at the beginning of my address, to especially thank the Republic of Italy and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tajani for organizing this meeting. I believe that I speak for all of us, from the Western Balkans, when I say that the support of the Group of Friends is of great importance to our region and that we greatly appreciate it.

Although we constantly hear that the enlargement policy is a priority of the European Union, the number of those who, like you, are truly sincere and committed in their intention to support the Western Balkans on this path, is not large. Thirty-one years have passed since the adoption of the so-called of the Copenhagen criteria, twenty-one years after the presentation of the Thessaloniki agenda and more than ten years after the last enlargement of the European Union. Unfortunately, it took the conflict in Ukraine to give the European Union a new impetus.

The enlargement policy is in the interest of the Republic of Serbia, in the interest of the Western Balkans, and I am convinced that it is also in the interest of the European Union and all its current and future members.

I believe that, in exactly that spirit, the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans was adopted by the European Commission, with announced financial aid in the amount of 6 billion euros for its implementation. We are ready to work seriously and responsibly on its implementation, believing that this initiative will further strengthen and bring our economies and societies closer, but also, we hope, speed up the process of European integration of our region.

On the other hand, what we are looking for is fair and equal treatment for all partners from the Western Balkans in this initiative and we are against any politicization or political conditioning of participation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Nothing is perfect, not even the European Union. However, with all its virtues and flaws, crises and successes, we will agree that the European Union still represents the most successful policy of peace, stability and economic development in the world. Therefore, the reconciliation of partners in the Balkans, as well as the speed of economic development of our region, will depend, among other things, on the readiness of the European Union to receive future members.

The Republic of Serbia sees itself as a future member of the European Union. This is the priority goal of our foreign policy and we are fully committed to fulfilling that goal. We know that reforms are the key to the success of European integration, and we do not ask that someone do our "homework" for us. Internal reforms are not a goal in themselves, nor are we implementing them for someone else's sake, but to make our country a better place to live. What we expect is that the European Union, with more trust and less prejudice - more decisively implements the policy of enlargement towards the Western Balkans and the Republic of Serbia.

I must emphasize that we are not satisfied that the European integration process of the Republic of Serbia is taking so long because there is no objective reason for its delay. Procrastination and slowing down of this process have a negative impact on political and economic trends in the region. We, just like the European Union, need stability and predictability.

I would like to remind you that the European Commission, in the case of the Republic of Serbia, proposed opening Cluster 3 - Competition and inclusive growth for the third year in a row - but, unfortunately, this is still not happening. I single this out because it is precisely an issue that is important for economic integration and that should not be politicized.

Respected colleague,

We are aware that the European Union expects constructive engagement in the Dialogue with Pristina. And it is more than clear that Belgrade is the one that is constructive, but that, unfortunately, is not enough for the success of this process. It is necessary for the other party to act in the same way.

How can anyone in the European Union expect the success of the Dialogue, in which Pristina persistently refuses to fulfill its commitments made long ago? How is it even possible that Pristina tolerates completely ignoring the Agreement, which the European Union itself is the guarantor of? We don't have an answer to these questions - for more than a decade.

In addition, Prishtina persistently and continuously with its unilateral moves seriously destabilizes the situation and threatens the basic rights, security and survival of Serbs in our southern Province. This is evidenced by the latest move to cancel the dinar in Kosovo and Metohija, which not only worries us, but also calls into question the survival of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the Dialogue process itself. That is why it is completely incomprehensible that the only reaction of the international community is an appeal to just postpone decisions of this type, without going into whether they are in accordance with all the agreements reached so far and what consequences they will have on people's lives.

Dear colleagues, Serbs are subjected to unbearable living conditions. Therefore, it is not clear how it is possible to appeal only for the postponement of a decision whose goal is the expulsion of a nation from its centuries-old hearths.

I hope that the entire international community will truly understand the seriousness of the current situation. We will make maximum efforts to protect our people in Kosovo and Metohija, I hope with your support.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our commitment and willingness to resolve the issue of Kosovo and Metohija peacefully is a reflection of our strength and not weakness, as some try to present it. The Republic of Serbia is committed to peace. I want to believe that commitment to peace, solving all issues through dialogue, as well as finding a way for a more stable and prosperous future for all European citizens - are precisely the goal that all of us - who are sitting at this table today - are striving for.

Let me once again thank our hosts for taking the initiative to gather us here, as well as for their continued commitment and support for the enlargement policy. Exactly as the Prime Minister of Italy, Mrs. Đorđa Meloni, pointed out during her visit to the Republic of Serbia, we need the reunification of Europe.

Only a united Europe can achieve our common goal. We have no time to waste.

Thank you for your attention.