First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic paid an official visit to the Republic of Peru.

Minister Dacic had a very successful meeting with his counterpart, Foreign Minister of Peru Nestor Popolizio Bardales, in Lima.

"Former Yugoslavia and Peru had excellent relations. Peru was one of our biggest political and economic allies in this region. Recent years have seen a stagnation in the relations between the two countries and this has resulted in Peru's recognition of the unilateral declaration independence of Kosovo. In view of the above, it is in our interest to restore our relations with Peru and this is why my visit to Peru is of exceptional importance given that many years have elapsed since the last bilateral visit.

Peru recognized the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo in 2008 but the UDI recognition status is frozen. They did not establish diplomatic relations and since 2015 they have not voted for Kosovo's membership in international organizations (UNESCO and Interpol).

Also, Peru is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. In July, Peru will chair the Security Council and I can say that we have their open support.
So, it's time for our relations to be renewed. We will actively participate in seeking common interests and, for this purpose, I expect that my counterpart will make a return visit.

Economic cooperation is very low while cooperation is not overly developed in other areas either, and it is therefore necessary to build a strategic partnership with Peru. The issue of Kosovo is not the most important issue to discuss. Our strategic relations and our presence in the region also matter and such friendly relationship will result in a friendly stance on the problems concerning Kosovo. It is necessary that Serbia positions itself in the relations with these countries along the same lines Yugoslavia did and that through such friendly relationship it protects its own national and state interests.

The American continent comprises 35 states which are members of the UN of which 19 countries currently do not recognize Kosovo while 16 did so. The goal is to increase the number of countries that do not recognize Kosovo.

Peru froze its decision on recognition and can no longer be seen as a country that supports Kosovo, and this is very important for Serbia "Minister Dacic said following his talks in Lima.