With his visit to Azerbaijan, today, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic – in his capacity as OSCE Chairman-in-Office – started his three-day visit to OSCE Missions in the South Caucasus where he will also be visiting Georgia, on 2 June, and Armenia, on 3 June. I.Dačić was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan I.Aliyev and the Chairmanof the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan O.Asadov. Also he had a special conversation with E.Mammadyarov, MFA of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He held talks with representatives of political parties and the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh.

During the talks in Baku I.Dačić said that he would like to indicate that this region is of great importance for the stability of Europe as a whole, and that it is customary for the Chairman-in-Office to visit the region, i.e. to visit Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. He stressed that by paying a visit, they also wish to provide assistance, meaning that they would like to see how they may contribute to the resolution of the conflict. “Based on our own experience, the experience of Serbia, I sure that the only way to address problems is through dialogue, requiring the political will of all parties to reach a solution.” The Minister underlined that the good will of Serbia, i.e. the OSCE Chair, to give good offices, both through the efforts of Personal and Special Representatives, and Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group, in order to reach solutions acceptable to all parties. The situation requires commitment of other, bigger countries as well, for it is important to honour the ceasefire agreement, the truce that has long been reached, but unfortunately, there is still a grim record of victims and casualties.
The Serbian Foreign Minister also pledged to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Mammadyarov that he would discuss with Armenian Minister Nalbandian the issues related to imprisoned and missing persons, as well as initiatives concerning the possibility of a more liberal concept of freedom of movement in the region.
The Minister stressed his belief as OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the OSCE should be a partner of all the countries, wherever it is present, and that it should assist in addressing conflicts and supporting reforms in order to be a valuable factor there. “The OSCE has been present in Serbia for as many as 20 years now and we had different experiences in that respect. Serbia is one of the countries having its own experience with the issue of double standards, and has for some time even been suspended from OSCE activities, and it is currently chairing the Organization. It is therefore necessary to seek the best possible ways for genuine practical implementation of the OSCE principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, without double standards.”
Speaking about the experience of Serbia, Dacic said that she was sure his country particularly sensitive to the issue of the territorial integrity and sovereignty, as Kosovo was an example for a lot of double standards.
He particularly underlined that it is important that there is the political will to resolve all these issues on all sides, and if it exists. The organization, which currently presides over Serbia will do everything to assist in the operationalization of all these different ideas and try to develop a permanent solution to this conflict, which would be in the interest of all.
Minister Dacic emphasized in Baku that Serbia and Azerbaijan are friendly countries and strategic partners, and that there is a mutual willingness to develop bilateral relations, in the political and economic areas, including sports and culture.
The Serbian Foreign Minister particularly drew attention to the fact that Azerbaijan would be hosting the first European Games, where Serbia would have 132 athletes, and that the attendance of President Nikolic at the opening ceremony was expected.