Minister Dačić's address to students of Advanced Defence and Security Studies
Dear Members of Parliament,
Esteemed Members of the Ministry of Defence, Serbian Army and other institutions of the Republic of Serbia,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure that we have, already traditionally now, organized such kind of a gathering with the students of the Advanced Defence and Security Studies. Today's talks represent not only a confirmation of a strong bond between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence but also a high level of intersectional cooperation which all institutions of the Republic of Serbia should strive to achieve.
I believe that my assistants have advised you in detail of the scope of work and individual activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, each in their respective field and in line with the competences of individual organizational units.
It is my duty to reiterate that Serbia's diplomatic engagement in the coming period will be directed precisely towards achieving the fundamental goals and clearly defined priorities of our foreign policy. Certainly the most challenging task ahead of us would be to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia. It goes without saying that Kosovo and Metohija is our most significant political and security issue. With the escalation of the situation in Ukraine, the focus of the international community on attempts to resolve the issue of the status of our southern province increased. In accordance therewith and thanks to a wise policy, we formed a clear and firm negotiating position, according to which there can be no further negotiations of any kind on any new proposals until the Community of Serb Municipalities is formed. It is clear to you that the upcoming round of talks in Brussels has a special weight, because we want to remain persistent in the defence of our national interests, primarily in order to protect our people and cultural and religious identity.
Dear friends,
Serbia still believes that full membership in the EU is achievable. Therefore, fulfilling the criteria on the way to full membership remains one of the key foreign policy priorities and a strategic goals as it has been for all Serbian governments in the past 20 years. At a time when the European Union itself is undergoing a kind of test and when views on the need for internal re-composition are getting stronger, our consistent message repeated on several occasions is that the EU reform must go in parallel to the enlargement process. We are trying to convince key decision-makers within the EU that such processes are not mutually exclusive, but complementary. However, you are well aware that there are numerous challenges on the European path of Serbia, primarily because full membership still remains a "moving target", with ever complicated and multiplied requirements, at the moment particularly burdened by the need to harmonize with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union.
Dear colleagues,
I would like to particularly emphasize that Serbia is determined to redefine relations with our neighbours by overcoming the open issues from the past and directing the common bilateral agendas towards the future. This effort was demonstrated by my recent visit to Zagreb when, among other things, I underlined the relevance of building trust, renewing strategic communications and harmonizing goals as a guarantor of a better future. We have to overcome historical issues and discrepancies by building strong foundations and bridges based on a common future, because although it is not possible to choose who our neighbours will it is absolutely necessary that we work together. We are particularly interested in all mechanisms for promoting regional cooperation, but we believe that regional integration must not and cannot in any way replace the benefits of full membership in the EU.
The world has entered the 21st century burdened by the accumulated global security challenges that represent one of the basic characteristics that mark the time in which we live. Regardless of the current moment, we can only defend our interests in the international arena by being united and the main starting point is certainly the individual efforts to perfect and improve individual capacities. This is precisely why your additional training as a 12th class students of the Advanced Defence and Security Studies is of great importance to our collective success.
In the end, I wish you success, good health and personal happiness while reminding you that we are counting on you.
Thank you for your attention.
