Dacic in Brussels: We have preserved state interests; we will not cross red lines

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, said today in Brussels that the agreement in Ohrid within the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was very significant and that it was part of Serbia's overall effort to normalize relations with Pristina. In his statement to journalists, he repeated that he did not agree to anything that would be outside Serbia's red lines, RTV reports.

"The agreement is very important; it is part of our overall effort, which we have been investing for 10 years to work on the normalization of our relations with Pristina. And that's all, nothing more," Dacic said, who is participating in the International Donors’ Conference in Brussels for those affected by the recent devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Dacic emphasized that Serbia was careful with wording and wanted normalization.

He believes that the agreement from Ohrid is good in that sense and that, if everyone adheres to it, it can contribute to the normalization and calming of tensions.

"The text itself stated that the parties thought differently about the status issue. What kind of recognition then? On the other hand, you clearly heard from President Aleksandar Vucic and from Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, and me that we had agreed to implement what was agreed upon and which did not cross our red lines. It is mutual recognition and no membership in the UN," the Minister of Foreign Affairs noted.

Dacic pointed out that Serbia had managed to protect national and state interests and that this was an important impulse for further European integration.

He adds that the CSM will become part of the EU legal system, that is, its implementation will be binding for Pristina.