"I have attended a series of significant bilateral meetings in the Republic of Vanuatu today. The Republic of Serbia established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Vanuatu only last year. I have met the President, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Vanuatu.

We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and an Agreement on visa liberalization and discussed a series of diverse topics concerning areas in which we can strengthen our bilateral cooperation.

Our aim is to create amicable relationships with the Pacific island countries and I would like to say that we have completely transformed our state policy and, together with President Aleksandar Vucic, become actively involved in the Pacific in the last seven years.
It is truly tragic. I might as well ask what the public authorities and former Ministers of Foreign Affairs were doing considering that we do not already have established diplomatic relations with half of the Pacific island countries. These countries are small, but each one has a voice in the UN. Out of 193 members of the UN, 12 are Pacific island countries, amounting to 13 with Timor-Leste - all of which have recognized the independence of Kosovo. We find it tragic that these countries have diplomatic relations with Kosovo and not with Serbia.

Circumstances have changed considerably. Following the note of the Republic of Nauru, the situation is such that Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Palau have revoked the recognition of so-called Kosovo. We will also have talks with other countries. For this very reason, it is necessary to maintain our presence, interest and cooperation with this region and to show that we care about the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia as well as the stance these countries have on the issue in question. With that in mind, I believe that we can expect visits from the Republic of Vanuatu in the upcoming period along with the development of bilateral relations with other countries in this region", said the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia following the meeting in the Republic of Vanuatu.