First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic participated today in the Western Balkan Six Ministerial meeting in Skopje.

"The Meeting of Foreign and Energy Ministers was held in Skopje, today, within the initiative unfolding in different areas in the framework of the Berlin Process, relating to the Western Balkans. The meeting was held in the context of the preparations for the summit, to be held in Trieste, on 12 July.

As regards Ministers of Foreign Affairs, it was agreed that regular meetings be held every six months, aimed at discussing all open issues. It was further agreed that common interests be sought, while insisting together on closer economic connectivity of the entire region, and seeking, on the regional level, also a common interest in the talks with other countries and organizations, including the EU.

In this respect, we have a concern in the destiny of the Berlin Process and the developments following the Summit in Italy, for we believe that the participation of key EU member countries could play an important role in contributing to the accelerated EU integration of the Western Balkans.

An interest was shown by the United Kingdom to host the next meeting. Although it is by no means for us to decide whether this will or will not materialize, bearing in mind the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the EU, we would nevertheless like to see it as a long-term process paving the way to the European integration of not only Serbia but the entire region, with a timeline that would be attractive to our region as a whole.

Against the backdrop of various challenges on the global, bilateral and regional level, it is highly important to hold meetings, have discussions and address all outstanding issues through dialogue, which has been the underlying reason for the success of our meeting here in Skopje," the Foreign Minister stated.