Dacic: SPS supports Vucic's policy

BELGRADE - Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) leader Ivica Dacic has reiterated that the party firmly supported the position of the Serbian National Security Council that Serbia condemned the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity but opposed the introduction of sanctions on Russia.

"The SPS firmly supports that policy, which is publicly expressed and pursued by (Serbian) President Aleksandar Vucic," Dacic told Tanjug on Monday evening, noting that "Serbia's national interest and future is our priority."

Dacic was reacting to a written statement by Minister of Economy Rade Basta, who called on the Serbian government to urgently take a position on imposing sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict.

Basta, who is a member of United Serbia - a coalition partner of the SPS - also said he was an advocate of imposing the sanctions.

In response to the statement, United Serbia leader Dragan "Palma" Markovic said Basta's position did not reflect the position of the party.