FM says his UN success is "tribute to Serbian people"

Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic says his election as new UN General Assembly president was "a tribute to the Serbian people". Speaking in New York on Friday after the voting, Jeremic noted that he had had the honor to serve his nation as foreign minister for over five years. FM says his UN success is "tribute to Serbian people" "It is an extreme honor to stand before the General Assembly after becoming the president of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly," Jeremic said in his first address to representatives of UN member countries. As the first topic of the debate at the opening of the 67th session, Jeremic proposed bringing views closer and solving international disputes by peaceful means. "In view of our experiences, I believe we can help implement all the harmonized proposals, especially those referring to prevention of conflicts," he noted, calling on the assembly "not to forget that peace is not merely an absence of war once they start discussing that important issue in September". Jeremic stressed Serbia's commitment to preserving international peace and security, the UN's first declared goal. "Governments in Serbia changes by peaceful means and in accordance with the rule of law," he pointed out. "Serbia is a democratic country, which has no other ambitions but to contribute to humanity's general interests, preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity and benefit its people," Jeremic underscored. The 37-year-old became Serbia's foreign minister in 2007. Jeremic graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in physics, to later attend the Harvard University and graduate with a degree of Master in Public Administration in International Development. He is set to assume his duties as the UN General Assembly president in September 2012, for a one-year mandate. Vuk Jeremic (Tanjug, file) B92 Tanjug

FM says his UN success is "tribute to Serbian people"

"It is an extreme honor to stand before the General Assembly after becoming the president of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly," Jeremić said in his first address to representatives of UN member countries.

As the first topic of the debate at the opening of the 67th session, Jeremić proposed bringing views closer and solving international disputes by peaceful means.

"In view of our experiences, I believe we can help implement all the harmonized proposals, especially those referring to prevention of conflicts," he noted, calling on the assembly "not to forget that peace is not merely an absence of war once they start discussing that important issue in September".

Jeremić stressed Serbia's commitment to preserving international peace and security, the UN's first declared goal.

"Governments in Serbia changes by peaceful means and in accordance with the rule of law," he pointed out.

"Serbia is a democratic country, which has no other ambitions but to contribute to humanity's general interests, preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity and benefit its people," Jeremić underscored.

The 37-year-old became Serbia's foreign minister in 2007. Jeremić graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in physics, to later attend the Harvard University and graduate with a degree of Master in Public Administration in International Development.

He is set to assume his duties as the UN General Assembly president in September 2012, for a one-year mandate.