Dacic: Serbia, US on right track to advance their relationship

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Ivica Dacic said on Thursday Serbia and the US were on the right track to advance their relationship.

Addressing an America Day in Belgrade conference, hosted by the Serbian-American Friendship Congress in the Serbian parliament building, Dacic said Serbia-US ties had a history that was over 140 years long and that there was no reason whatsoever to hide that great tradition and that it was something to be proud of.

"What I want to point out is the fundamental principles every state has - that foreign policy is a part of national and state interests," Dacic said.

Unlike others who started both WWI and WWII, Serbia has been on the right side in events crucial for the history of mankind, Dacic said, noting that Serbia had paid a high price for its desire for freedom.

"I think that Serbia is a dependable and predictable partner and it wants to forge political and economic ties, as well as ties in defence and security," Dacic said.

Serbia's leverage is small compared to the US but it has expressed full willingness to normalise the relations, which can also be confirmed by the Ohio National Guard, he said.

"We will continue to be a constructive factor in the Balkans and we ask our partners, the US in particular, to have that in mind and that we create a foundation for making our relations a true partnership and friendship," Dacic said.