"Opportunity for positive OSCE mediating role"

"Opportunity for positive OSCE mediating role"

Speaking to Serbian reporters who are in Vienna to cover this event, Zannier noted the traditionally good relations between Russia and Serbia, as well as the fact that Serbia has "a clear European perspective."

"It is not easy, but it is an opportunity that needs to be seized and I see that Serbia is playing that role. From my conversations with Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic I understood that he intends to become personally engaged and wishes to visit all our missions on the ground," the Italian diplomat stressed.

According to him, Serbia already succeeded in one area that Switzerland did not - namely, in adopting the 2015 budget by December 31, while Switzerland took until May during its presidency.

Ukraine remains the biggest challenge for OSCE, but other issues - including relations in the Balkan region - will also be on the agenda, he said.

"We plan numerous events that deal with issues of tolerance, dialogue, freedom of expression while the OSCE itself remains a key player in the security area. We also need internal dialogue because relations have become complicated due to members introducing sanctions against one another," Zannier explained, and added:

"This is a challenge for all of us, but Serbia is not alone and can count on the support and cooperation of the Secretariat."

He noted that Serbia's first task will be to work on extending the mandate of the OSCE monitoring mission in Ukraine, which will expire in late March.

"At this point I do not have a feeling that anyone will object to this mission continuing, I see no reason for the mandate not to be extended. It is not a cheap operation, but if you compare it with some EU or UN missions, it's not a lot. This operation in Ukraine equals one percent of UN peacekeeping operations, but the impact of that conflict is such that to spend one percent means nothing," Zannier was quoted as saying.

The decision on the Swiss and Serbian consecutive chairmanships in 2014 and 2015 was taken three years. Serbia is thus to become the first former Yugoslav state to chair the organization, with Germany to take over next year.