First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic met today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, who is on a visit to Belgrade.

Both sides confirmed the friendly nature of the relations between the two countries. "Serbia and Armenia are bound by long-term friendly relations dating back to the distant past, said Minister Dacic and stressed that he would insist that relations with traditional friends of our country constantly improve. Satisfaction was confirmed with the intensification of the political dialogue, stalled for some time, to which the forthcoming visit of President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic to Armenia from 10 to 12 October 2014 will significantly contribute.

During the meeting the most important issues were discussed in the field of bilateral cooperation and possibilities for improvements. Emphasis is made on efforts to complete the contractual-legal basis and promote economic cooperation. The Serbian Foreign Minister pointed out that Serbia accepted the initiative to abolish visa requirements for citizens of the two countries, not only for holders of diplomatic passports.

Special attention was given to exchange of views on cooperation within international organizations, primarily in the context of our upcoming OSCE chairmanship. "As Chairman of the OSCE next year, I will support the work of the Minsk Group, formed for the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, in order to achieve a political solution to this problem", said the Serbian Foreign Minister, adding that Serbia abided by and complied with all international documents related to the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Minister Nalbandian pointed out that the position of his country on the non-recognition of Kosovo remained unchanged and that Armenia welcomed the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. "We welcome the dialogue that aims at achieving a mutually acceptable solution", said the Armenian Minister.

After the meeting, the Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.