The Report was presented by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic who said that in the reporting period all the sectors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked on achieving Serbia’s foreign policy goals which are preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, EU integration, improvement of cooperation with the countries in the region, as well as with the most influential countries in the world. Minister Dacic said that the Ministry’s next step is to re-evaluate its structure in view of the much needed development of economic relations and achievement of Serbia’s economic interests.

Speaking of multilateral cooperation the Minister said that Serbia has missions in a number of international organizations which are all working toward achieving the states’ foreign policy goals, especially on the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Dacic said that there is an intention within the UN by Kosovo as well as certain states which had recognized its independence to end UNMIK’s mandate and have fewer or even no UNSC sessions on Kosovo, which is unacceptable. He said that Serbia believes that the UN’s mission in Kosovo-Metohija should continue with undiminished capacities as should the reporting on Kosovo-Metohija in the UN. He said that the UNSC session in August will be chaired by the UK and Serbia can expect to have to defend the issue, but the events in Kosovo-Metohija testify that the job of the UN mission in the field is not done. Dacic said that Kosovo has for now given up on joining UNESCO because it lack the necessary votes. Speaking of the World Customs Organization, the depository – Belgium, has accepted Kosovo’s bid to join it but, after a debate on the issue, Kosovo is on the list of members but does not have a vote, said Dacic. Speaking of Interpol, Kosovo has applied to join and a bid for Council of Europe can also be expected, though even some countries which had recognized its independence protest this because of unilateral moves. Kosovo will not be able to join OSCE, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Dacic said that retractions of the recognition of Kosovo’s independence continue despite the pressure of big powers and some Muslim countries. The trend will continue as a priority of Serbia’s diplomatic network, which shows that the process is reversible, Dacic concluded.

Speaking of EU integration, the Minister said that it is safe to expect the upcoming EU Council to decide on the opening of new chapters. We are not satisfied with the pace with which they are being opened, he said, because the country’s capacities outstrip it. The whole process hinges on Chapter 35 that is progress in the dialogue with Pristina, but Serbia will, despite everything, continue to fulfil its obligations and will not bring its national interests into question for the sake of opening a chapter more, said Dacic.

In the reporting period the Ministry opened an office in Trebinje and honorary consulates in Slovakia and the US and abolished visas for a number of countries, mindful of security and the need to prevent illegal migration. It allocated funds for capital investments to resolve property issues concerning the buildings in Canberra, Skopje and Washington D.C. and will resolve the issue of the residence in New York for which Serbia is paying maintenance and not using because it is entangled in a succession process. The Minister said that the residence was sold in auction for 12 million USD, 39% of which will go to Serbia i.e. 3.5 million USD as per succession, and 3 million USD to cover the maintenance costs.

Following a debate the Committee members accepted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Activity Report in the period 1 November 2017 – 30 April 2018, by majority vote.

The Committee members went on to adopt a number of initiatives for visits and noted the regular activities of the National Assembly’s standing delegations, adopted reports on visits realised noted other realized contacts.

The Committee members also noted the changes in the composition of the PFG with Ghana.

The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairman Prof. Dr Zarko Obradovic, and attended by the following Committee members and deputy members: Prof. Dr Ljubisa Stojmirovic, Stefana Miladinovic, Ljiljana Malusic, Vera Jovanovic, Natasa Sp. Jovanovic, Zika Gojkovic, Dragan Sormaz, Nikola Savic, Djordje Kosanic, Jovan Palalic, Dusica Stojkovic and Djordje Vukadinovic.