There will be no essential changes in Serbia’s foreign policy, which means that it will continue being founded on the preservation of Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, whereas the priority is full-fledged membership in the EU, said the newly-appointed Serbian foreign minister, Ivan Mrkić, in his first interview to agency Tanjug in this capacity. More from Olivera Milovanović.
Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkić said that the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty and full-fledged membership in the EU would remain Serbia’s priorities. He said that in stable democracies, to which Serbia belongs, no important foreign policy changes have been perceived and that the essence of Serbia’s foreign policy is known to all. In their official statements, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and PM Ivica Dacic as well said that the foreign policy would not basically change, allowing for some possible minor changes.
Commenting on Serbia’s relations with Russia and the USA, Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkić said that relations with the former were excellent, whereas those with the latter, although on solid bases, should be improved and deepened further. In the strategic partnership policy, Russia is an important partner and friend of Serbia and it offers significant assistance in the preservation of Serbia’s territorial integrity. Belgrade will also try to improve relations with the USA and to render them more varied and fruitful for either side, said Mrkić. The room for such promotion will be more easily envisaged after talks between the official representatives of either side in the forthcoming weeks, he said.
Speaking of future contacts with EU officials with a view to speeding up Serbia’s EU integrations, Mrkić emphasized that communication with all the representatives and friends from Europe was good. The EU understands that Serbia is investing great efforts in order to fulfill the prerequisites for the realization of an optimal position in the EU integration process, especially when it comes to the commencement of EU membership talks, said Mrkić, adding that the European Commission is to pronounce its decision on that issue in October
As for regional cooperation in the Western Balkans, which is something the EU insists on, Mrkić said he saw no serious obstacle in that field. The foundations of good regional relations have been placed and now we should create an atmosphere to become the promotion of the current relations in the interest of all the countries, he underlined.