First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic received today Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict. In the context of preparations for the Second Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, the two collocutors exchanged views on this important issue.

Minister Dacic reaffirmed support to the efforts made by the United Kingdom to prevent sexual violence in armed conflicts. He informed his collocutor about the measures taken to implement UN Security Council resolution 1325 "Women, Peace and Security", as well as about the plan of individualizing criminal responsibility within the judicial system of the Republic of Serbia. He stressed that everything needed to be done to provide protection, support and assistance to all victims of this terrible crime, but also to prevent abuse, manipulation with victim numbers and politicization. They agreed that preventing the stigmatization of victims and adequate punishment of perpetrators of these crimes was an important element in ensuring that justice is served.
In the continuation of the talks, Minister Dacic pointed out that further improvement of relations and overall cooperation with the United Kingdom was the priority interest of Serbia. The two sides highlighted the need to intensify high and top-level collaboration in the period to come. They also underscored the necessity for intensifying strategic dialogue and enhancing cooperation in the economic area.

Lord Ahmad underlined that even after the Brexit, the United Kingdom would remain a reliable partner of Serbia both on a bilateral level and in the face of global challenges such as security and climate change.