Dacic: Serbia not exporting arms to Ukraine or Russia

BELGRADE - Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Serbia has neither exported arms or military equipment to Ukraine or Russia nor licensed such exports to either country, or any other country it believes could be a contentious export destination from the international point of view, Serbian FM Ivica Dacic said on Friday.

Addressing Ministry of Defence envoys posted to Serbian embassies worldwide, Dacic said he was familiar with the information as his ministry, too, took part in the licencing process, and added that he was talking about legal institutions that were allowed to export arms.

He noted that Serbian diplomatic activities primarily focused on preservation of Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which he said represented the main guideline for foreign policy activities.

"We are witnessing enormous pressure on Serbia that is aimed at completing the project of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and that culminated at the most recent meeting in Brussels," Dacic said.

"I must once again reiterate our clear position that any attempt of solving the status of our southern province is possible only through establishment of dialogue mechanisms between Belgrade and Pristina. For that reason, correct presentation of the danger posed by Pristina's unilateral moves, which generally jeopardise establishment of dialogue, is also very important," Dacic said.

He added that EU membership was a priority objective on Serbia's political agenda.

"But for reasons that are very familiar, it is questionable whether full EU membership is a moving target or a real possibility. That fact must not discourage us from presenting the added value Serbia could bring by joining the EU," Dacic said.

Serbia is and will remain the main point of regional stability, he also said.