Dacic: I am satisfied with discussions in Uganda, no changes for Serbian interests

KAMPALA - Serbian FM Ivica Dacic said on Friday he was satisfied with discussions he had had at a meeting of heads of state and government at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Kampala, Uganda, and noted that there were no changes for Serbian state interests.

"Also, the odds are that, with some states, we can correct the mistakes we made in the historical period in which we closed several embassies in Africa after October 5 (2000). This morning, the PM of Tanzania asked me why we shut down our embassy there and when we will reopen it," Dacic told Serbian reporters in Kampala.

He said continued attendance at NAM summits was very important for Serbia as NAM member states included traditional friends of Serbia that had a fair attitude towards the Kosovo-Metohija issue.

"I am satisfied with the discussions with my colleagues, not only with FMs, but also with PMs and presidents. I see there are no major negative changes for our state interests," Dacic said.

He said he had used bilateral meetings as an opportunity to exchange the latest information, and added that discussions with Burundian and Tanzanian officials had been especially important.

He said Serbia was also interested in Kenya's position on the Kosovo-Metohija issue given reports in the Pristina press about friendship between the Kenyan president and ethnic Albanian businessman from Kosovo-Metohija Bedzet Pacoli.

"Dialogue with India, which still stands with us firmly, is very important to us... and, of course, their position on the Kosovo-Metohija issue is vital to us," Dacic said.

(end) rd