First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic had a meeting today in Belgrade with Mohamed El-Amine Souef, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Union of the Comoros, who is paying an official visit to Serbia.

Following the meeting, Minister Dacic underlined that the Union of the Comoros had revoked its recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

Minister Dacic said that the Union of the Comoros is the tenth country to send a note to Serbia, stating the revision of its Kosovo decision to enable the two sides to reach a just, equal and durable political solution through dialogue. He also said that Serbia would continue to re-examine the list of countries which had recognized Kosovo, according to Pristina's claims.

The two interlocutors recalled that the friendship between the two countries dated back to the 1960s, and that the then Yugoslavia strongly supported the Comoros in the struggle for independence and affirmation of its territorial integrity, in the same way as Serbia does today. Moreover, the two Ministers agreed in today's meeting to expand cooperation in all areas.

Speaking about the vote on Kosovo's INTERPOL membership, Minister Dacic reiterated that Pristina did not want to join this IO to fight crime, but to demonstrate Kosovo's independence. He added that the West might have promised INTERPOL membership to Kosovo, but that we should wait for the vote, stressing that the Union of the Comoros, for instance, would not support Kosovo, even though this country figures as one of those expected to facilitate Kosovo's INTERPOL membership.

Minister Mohamed El-Amine Souef said that his country stood in solidarity with Serbia, because the two had a similar problem regarding territorial integrity.

"In our view, Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia. We support the ongoing negotiations in order for your country and other countries in the region to enjoy greater peace. Only dialogue can help to forge cooperation between peoples. My country initially recognised the independence of Kosovo, but now we should give a chance to dialogue in the interest of future cohabitation and peace between you and your neighbours in the region", Minister Mohamed El-Amine Souef said.

Serbian Foreign Minister Dacic presented a gift to his counterpart – a Red Star FC jersey with the name of El Fardou Mohamed Ben Nabouhane, who comes from the Comoros, and he also congratulated Red Star side for emerging victorious from yesterday's match with Liverpool. Minister Mohamed El-Amine Souef gifted the flag of the Union of the Comoros to the Serbian Foreign Minister.

Minister Dacic and Minister Mohamed El-Amine Souef also signed the MoU between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Union of the Comoros.