Dacic declares Belgrade "diplomatic capital of Europe"

Dacic declares Belgrade "diplomatic capital of Europe"

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Speaking during a briefing in Belgrade's Kombak Arena venue that will host the December OSCE Ministerial Council, Dacic said that Belgrade will next week become the diplomatic capital of Europe as more than 40 ministers of foreign affairs will arrive here for the conference.

He added that Serbia has shown it can "objectively help resolve certain conflicts" and that the situation in Ukraine, where the OSCE is the only international organization present, is now "much more relaxed than a year ago."

The ministerial conference in Belgrade on December 3 and 4 will be the final event of the Serbian chairmanship of the OSCE, and will adopt a number of important declarations, Dacic said, adding that "introductory meetings" will be starting as early as December 1.

The minister stated that the ministerial gathering will bring together 57 countries and 11 partner countries. He added there was still "no definitive confirmation" about which ministers will come to Belgrade next week, but that it is certain more than 40 will take part.

"We are especially pleased that in addition to the members of the Troika - the next chairmanship, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Didier Burkhalter of the previous (German and Swiss) - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced their arrival," Dacic said, adding EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Tornborn Jagland also confirmed their participation.

Dacic noted that 115 media outlets and about 500 of their staff have been accredited to cover the conference.

According to him, "the OSCE is one of the most complex organizations because it makes decisions by consensus" while the ministerial meeting is "one of the most complex international conferences in organizational terms for the host country, since it requires compliance with precise conditions."

Dacic explained that the host country "fully funds" the event, adding that "in the case of Serbia RSD 360 million is provided from the budget, while the OSCE provided assistance of EUR 500,000." He added that the last ministerial council in Basel cost "17 million Swiss francs - five to six times more expensive than the one in Belgrade."

Dacic said donations have also been secured to help organize the gathering. Thus, BMW will provide 40 high class cars - five of them armored - while South Korea will provide 140 Samsung "smart TV sets" worth up to US USD 100,000. NIS will donate fuel for transportation, while Knjaz Milos supply mineral water.

Workers in the Kombank Arena, meanwhile, have built ten conference rooms and 11 rooms for bilateral meetings.

Delegations will be accommodated in 19 hotels, Dacic said, adding that Serbia will pay for accommodation of heads of delegations, while other members will cover their own expenses. The minister specified that "2,000 meals will be provided over five days."