First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacicis today on a visit to Munich to participate in the 52nd Munich Security Conference (MSC). In addition to attending the MSC, Minister Dacic also had a series of bilateral meetings with his international counterparts, including fromthe region.

"The Munich Security Conference is one of the world's biggest events dealing with the issues of foreign policy, security and defence,and this yearit has alsogatheredmanytop-level world officials and security experts.

It is very important that the issues being discussed are the most pressing ones, namely, combating terrorism, combating the Islamic State, the issues of migrant and refugeecrisis, but the geopolitical relations as well. Themost prominent world leaders are expected to address the event –Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Medvedev, US Secretary of State Kerry, as well as a number of Foreign Ministers, Prime Ministers and Presidents of participating countries here in Munich.

I had an opportunity to hold a series of bilateral meetings, including with Foreign Ministers of Italy and Egypt, and of the countries from the region. Last evening I talked with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn. The Conference is also attended byPrime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic, Chairman of the BiHCouncil of Ministers Zvizdic, President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Macedonian President Ivanov and Slovenian PresidentPahor.I believe it is very important that we presented the position of Serbia at this event, reflecting its readiness to play a constructive role when it comes to peace and stability. We have also offered a high level of support to the international fight against terrorism, as well as to addressing the migrant crisis.

Head of Austrian diplomacy Sebastian Kurzinformed meof his plan to call for 24 February a meeting of Interior and Foreign Ministers of the countries along the so-called "Balkan route", this being the timeframe in whichthe problems caused by Austria'sclosure of borders are expected to commence.We are ready for the occurrence of these events, we will treat the migrants and refugees in a humane manner, yet we will certainly protect our national and state interests as well", said Minister Dacic in Munich.