First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic said on today’s “Novi dan” (A New Day) N1 TV show that he hoped the new Croatian President Ms. Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic would work on the settlement of problems and creating a good atmosphere in relations between Serbia and Croatia.

“We wish to maintain good relations, and to enhance them”, Minister Dacic stated.
Commenting on the assumption of OSCE Chairmanship, Dacic said that Serbia got the chance to be part of addressing problems, rather than being a problem itself, as it used to be in the past.
“The very people from the OSCE are saying that there have never been more challenging times for the Chairmanship-in-Office than in the past 20 to 30 years. We have a very responsible position and should make use of it to increase Serbia’s credibility and reputation”, Minister Dacic said.
When discussing different ways in which the European Union and Russia perceive the situation in Ukraine, Dacic said that “cold peace” was in place.
“Serbia cannot compare with the major powers when it comes to exercising political influence, but because it has good will and ties with these states, it can act as a good facilitator, i.e. a credible and a honest broker”, Serbian Foreign Minister pointed out, adding that Serbia cherished close relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
“Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told me that many think Serbia would be partial, while it was his conviction that it would be objective.”
When it comes to opening negotiating chapters with the EU, the Foreign Minister says what is important for Serbia is to “accomplish its share of the tasks at hand”.
“This signifies that we are getting ready for the opening of chapters. Chapter 32 concerning financial control is ready, as confirmed by the EU itself. However, Germany in the first place, if not alone, holds the position that it is important that Chapters 23, 24 and 35 be opened first”, Minister Dacic said, adding that the “ accession date will be a matter of a political decision”.