Statement by H.E. Mr. Ivica Dačić First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia to the United Nations Security Council regarding threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, foreign terrorist fighters:


"Mr. President,

I would like to join the previous speakers in thanking you for convening this meeting of the Security Council to discuss the threat to international peace and security posed by foreign terrorist fighters, an issue of utmost regional, as well as global importance. Also, my special appreciation is due to you, Mr. President, for providing, by your stewardship of the Council's business today, thrust and gravitas to the message that we aim to send.

Serbia, one of the co-sponsors, welcomes the adoption of the Resolution on Foreign Terrorist Fighters that, we are convinced, will go a long way in addressing terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as the most serious threat to international peace and security. We believe that the Resolution and our discussion will strengthen cooperation among all United Nations Member State in the fight against terrorism and extremism.

Mr. President,

Terrorist threats have intensified in the last decade and extremist activities of any kind and anywhere find fertile soil in unstable political situations and the lack of socio-economic perspective. The problem of terrorism is complex and calls for coordination of activities and allocation of equal attention to all its aspects both at national and international levels. The root-causes of terrorism are manifold and wide-spread; they include religious fanaticism, social exclusiveness, especially of ethnic and religious minorities, uneven access to education and the lack of job and economic opportunities.

Fight against terrorism, Mr. President, will be hard and long and military measures alone will not be sufficient. Multidimensional approach is needed and we therefore welcome the adoption of the Resolution today. Banning recruitment and transport of potential foreign fighters by national laws, controlling money and arms flows and engaging local communities in addressing extremism are just some of the multi-facet measures that the Resolution provides for.

Serbia, too, has faced the problem of foreign fighters: at the end of the 1990s, extremist fighters joined secessionists in the southern Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohija; today, radical preachers, in increasing numbers, preach faith in the Raška region in south-western Serbia and in Kosovo and Metohija in religious centres financed from abroad and recruit young people to fight alleged religious wars.

Mr. President,

Persistent efforts are being made by my country to confront the threat of terrorism: money laundering and the financing of terrorism have long been sanctioned, and the Criminal Code is now being amended to provide for harsh prison punishment of foreign fighters, their recruiters and financiers.

In conclusion, let me also reiterate the readiness of my country to step up cooperation with all countries in the region and beyond and coordinate our activities accordingly.

Thank you, Mr. President."