First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic is in a visit to Moscow where he talked today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

During the meeting the two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and the OSCE arrangement in this regard. Other issues on the OSCE agenda were also discussed such as “Helsinki + 40” process, panel of eminent persons, activities of special representatives of the OSCE Chairperson in charge of the issues of Transnistria, Geneva negotiations and the work of the Minsk Group.
Speaking of Serbia’s upcoming OSCE Chairmanship, the Serbian Foreign Minister said that it was an opportunity to show to the world Serbia’s creativity, fairness and principled attitude.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov assessed that Serbia’s OSCE Chairmanship was a big challenge, and that official Belgrade could be a fair mediator in resolving conflicts. Lavrov pointed out that Moscow was not putting pressure on Serbia and that attempts to claim otherwise were politically incorrect.
Furthermore, Ministers Dacic and Lavrov agreed that next year OSCE could organize a special event marking 70th anniversary of the victory in WW II.
Minister Dacic underlined that it was extremely important to maintain the cease-fire in Ukraine in order to fully implement the Minsk agreements and reach a peaceful solution to the crisis. He added that he would visit Kiev next Tuesday in order to have talks with his Ukrainian colleague Pavel Klimkin.
As regards the construction of the “South Stream”, Minister Dacic pointed out that the project was indispensable for Serbia since it guaranteed its energy security and that Belgrade was disappointed with the situation related to this project. He also said that the presidents of the two countries would continue the consultations.
“We will support the talks aimed at finding the possibilities aligned with the EU in order to prevent Serbia’s interests from being left aside. Possibilities should be sought for the continuation of this project, strategically important for Serbia”, underlined Dacic.
Minister Lavrov said that the interests of Serbia would be considered in the framework of the project on the construction of pipeline from Russia to Europe.
The Agreement on cooperation between the diplomatic academies of the two countries was signed during today’s visit.