FM: Serbia remains Russia's loyal friend

FM: Serbia remains Russia's loyal friend

Dačić, who is also Serbia's first deputy prime minister, told the session that despite the new challenges in Europe there was a problem whose "weight and continuity" remains unchanged, and it relates to human rights of Serb and other non-Albanian communities in Kosovo and Metohija.

On the sidelines of the ministerial session in Vienna Dačić also, beside Lavrov, met with his Finnish and Turkish counterparts.

He told Lavrov that Serbia would remain a loyal friend of of Russia and "would not change its positions," according to the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two ministers discussed bilateral ties and on this occasion confirmed the good relations between the two countries, a statement said. Earlier in the day in his address to the ministerial meeting, Dačić said that EU integration is one of the main foreign policy priorities of the government of Serbia.

He said that Belgrade is firmly committed to continue the dialogue with Priština, taking place under the auspices of the EU in Brussels, as well as to implement the decisions stemming from these negotiations. He pointed out that the Serbian government was committed to peace and stability in the region and to the building of good neighborly relations, "for adoption of European standards, fundamental reforms of institutions and, ultimately, the creation of a modern society."

However, much of his address was dedicated to the problems faced by Serbs in Kosovo. "The Serb community, as well as other non-Albanian communities, continue to face serious obstacles in the field of security, return, freedom of movement, use of native language, access to institutions, property rights," warned Dačić.

The minister pointed out that, given the gravity of the situation in the province, Serbia demonstrated a constructive approach and contributed to a status-neutral engagement of the CoE.

"We believe that the activities of the CoE should be continued, for the sake of effective implementation of the principles and standards for protection of human rights, especially minority rights, the rule of law, and protection of cultural heritage," said Dačić.

He told the gathering that Serbia was committed to continue the activities initiated in the field of judiciary reform, fight against corruption and organized crime and combating all forms of discrimination.

Dačić said that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the CoE, and stressed the need to "preserve and build the principles" of the oldest European organization.

Since its admission to the CoE, "Serbia has made significant progress in the adoption and implementation of standards in the field of human rights, the rule of law and democracy," said Dačić.

He stressed the importance that the country assigns to the status of national minorities within its borders, and the readiness to further improve their position.

"At the same time, we expect that the rights of members of the Serb minority in other countries will be fully respected in accordance with the standards of the CoE, including their right to use their mother tongue and (Cyrillic) script," he concluded.

Dačić praised the work of Austria, which is ending its chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, and wished success to Azerbaijan, due to take over later in May.

The Serbian foreign minister was also quoted as saying that his country supported the report of Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as the suggestions for further activities.