Dacic: Serbia supports a more active presence of the OSCE in Kosovo; we expect a status-neutral position

Ivica Dacic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, stated after today's meeting with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, that Serbia advocates for a more active presence of the OSCE in Kosovo and that it is important for the organization's mission to continue functioning, considering the role it should have in implementing Resolution 1244 and other international agreements.

"We believe that all international missions in Kosovo and Metohija should continue their work and have as much space as possible for their operations to enable stability and peace in the region. When the Brussels Agreement was signed, the role of the OSCE in organizing elections in Kosovo and Metohija was clearly defined. However, I would like to remind that the last elections were held without the participation of the OSCE for the first time," Dacic emphasized.

He noted that only 1.9 percent of displaced persons and refugees had returned to Kosovo since 1999, and that there are also issues related to arrests, detentions, problems with license plates, and "the so-called elections held in Serbian municipalities where Serbs did not participate."

"In this regard, we expect a status-neutral position from the OSCE when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija. Serbia supports the activity of the OSCE. We will provide maximum support in overcoming problems to the extent of our capabilities," Dacic pointed out.

Osmani stated that he had discussed with Dacic today the role of the OSCE and the challenges they faced.

"We must never cease to discuss important matters. This also applies to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina under the auspices of the European Union. We are pleased to have hosted the Ohrid Agreement, which we hope will contribute to the continuation of the process and regional stability. I will repeat this support when I visit Pristina. The OSCE sees itself as a platform for promoting human interests. Our greatest focus is peace and prosperity," Osmani stated.

Minister Dacic denied reports of certain media outlets that he had traveled to Moscow and allegedly participated in an international security conference, stating that he did not go anywhere secretly.

As he says, at the time when he was allegedly in Russia, he had dinner with Bujar Osmani.