Dacic: Serbia wants more active OSCE presence in Kosovo-Metohija

BELGRADE - Serbia is advocating a more active OSCE presence in Kosovo-Metohija, Serbian FM Ivica Dacic said after a meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and North Macedonia FM Bujar Osmani in Belgrade on Thursday.

It is important that the OSCE mission in Kosovo-Metohija continues to operate, in view of the role it should have in the implementation of UN SC Resolution 1244 and other international agreements, Dacic told a press conference.

"We believe that all international missions in Kosovo-Metohija need to continue to work and have the largest possible space for their activities to ensure stability and peace in the territory. At the time the Brussels Agreement was signed, the role of OSCE in organising elections in Kosovo-Metohija was defined clearly. But I will remind you that the most recent elections were held without OSCE participation," Dacic noted.

He said only 1.9 pct of refugees and displaced persons had returned to Kosovo-Metohija since 1999 and that there were also issues of apprehensions and arrests, licence plate problems and so-called elections in Serb municipalities that had been boycotted by the Serb population.

"In that regard, we expect a status-neutral OSCE position on Kosovo-Metohija. Serbia supports OSCE activities. We will provide maximum support in the process of overcoming problems, to the best of our ability," Dacic noted.

Osmani said the meeting with Dacic had addressed the role of OSCE role and challenges facing the organisation.

"We must never stop discussing things that are important. That also applies to the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. We are glad to have been the hosts for the Ohrid Agreements, which we hope will contribute to a continuation of the process and to regional stability. I will reiterate that support also when I visit Pristina. OSCE sees itself as a platform for promoting human interests. Peace and prosperity are our greatest focus," Osmani said.

Quashing reports by some media outlets alleging that he had travelled to Moscow for an international security conference, Dacic said he did not "go anywhere secretly" and that he had been having dinner with Osmani at the time of the alleged visit to Russia.