First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic talked today with US Senator Ron Johnson, who is paying a visit to Belgrade.

The Serbian Foreign Minister and Senator Johnson talked about the time-honoured friendship between the United States of America and Serbia, and about the importance of the relations for both countries and for the region, too.

Today's meeting also discussed possibilities for strengthening bilateral ties, especially in the light of marking 100th anniversary since the then President Woodrow Wilson ordered that the Serbian flag be hoisted over the White House.

Interlocutors also exchanged views on the situation in the region and on the importance of the role played by the Republic of Serbia in the promotion of peace and security, for the region and Europe alike.

Senator Johnson expressed an interest on the part of the United States to assist Belgrade in finding a long-term solution in relations with Pristina. The Senator suggested that the past should not be forgotten but forgiven and left to the past, and that the focus be on the future. He called on both sides to seize an historic opportunity for progress in the normalization of their relations.

Minister Dacic reaffirmed Serbia's readiness to invest efforts in finding a lasting solution that would be in the interest of both sides and aimed at regional stability.