Resignation of Acting Prime Minister of Serbia andMinister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic at the annual meeting of foreign ministers of the Central European Initiative (CEI) held in Minsk:

„Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset I would like to thank the Minister Mackay and the Secretary General of the Central European Initiative di ambassador of wind on an outstanding hospitality and excellent organization of the annual meeting of foreign ministers of the Central European Initiative.

It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to participate in the exchange of opinions about linking within the broader European region, the current situation after the large migratory movement and the growing security threats and reform of the CEI, as a bridge between the European macro-region.

The Republic of Serbia, in the long term, and especially the last five years, no real differences in the priority objectives relating to internal reforms, European integration and regional cooperation. Through various projects and linking, Serbia is working on a wider networking infrastructure in this part of Europe, in order to present a valid, recognizable and competitive region, both in terms of all types of roads, as well as in terms of energy independence.

„Agenda connectivity“, which was established in the format „ZB6“ in the context of the „Berlin Process“, for us, is of special importance. Our priorities in this respect known, since we’ve stood many times at different meetings. I would just like one, but it is certainly highway Niš-Merdare-Prishtina-Tirana-Durres. Our expectations from the upcoming Summit ZB in Trieste include approval of additional funds for the implementation of three specific projects in the amount of over 60 million, which we presented the European Commission as a priority.

At the last summit of Central European countries with the People’s Republic of China, signed a contract on modernization of existing and construction of high-speed railway from Belgrade to Budapest, the first of such roads in the region.

In Belgrade, for more than 10 years, successfully operating headquarters of the Secretariat of Transport Observatory (SEETO), which logically should become the headquarters of the Secretariat of the future Transport Community. Considering all the advantages of its position, the Serbian Commission already submitted nomination for this seat. This would ensure the continuation of existing cooperation and institutionalized structure.

In parallel with all previous, Serbia actively participates in the project of Trans-Balkan corridor, in the amount of 162 million EUR, and whose completion should be completed interconnection lines between Serbia and Romania, Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and lines of high conductive power within Serbia . These projects will be energy exchanges and the security of the region will be greatly strengthened. Also, in the preparation of the work on the gas interconnection Serbian-Bulgarian project for which our party appeals to as soon as possible a final decision on financing.

All of these projects demonstrates the readiness of Serbia to connect with their neighbors, the wider region, as well as with the rest of the European area.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In addition to our common challenges for stronger connectivity in the wider region CEI, a special security challenge for all of us continues to be a migrant crisis. Despite the fact that it is through the territory of Serbia in the past two years, took more than 1.4 million migrants, and at any moment they still are around 7 thousand, extraordinary efforts preserved stability, no significant breach of security, and Serbia towards migrants at all times acted in full compliance with international norms and standards. For us it is crucial to avoid the suspension of the implementation of the agreement reached between the EU and Turkey, and we hope to strengthen their cooperation in order to recognize migrant routes, as well as in the wider area of ​​Europe, in order to overcome this problem.

Since Serbia is in the worst situation, and that has a considerably larger number of migrants in its territory in relation to other countries of the Western Balkans, we believe that most of the funds from the new special measures should be allocated to Serbia, given the sometimes unequal treatment of countries that are faced with this problem, depending on whether they are EU members or not.

My country is firmly committed to respond to potential terrorist threats and all forms of extremism and in cooperation with partners around the world to contribute to control them, both at regional and European, and global level. While we are on this issue among the first in the region warned, both in terms of Islamic radicalism, and in relation to the so-called chain reaction. Arab Spring, unfortunately, only today we understand the deleterious effects of any kind of radicalism and the use of force in international relations, regardless of the motives, perpetrators and masterminds.

Serbia is one of the twenty members of the Group of Governmental Experts of the United Nations in charge of development in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security and the only member country of the region has invested distinctive efforts in finding global solutions to strengthen trust between the two countries and the establishment of international rules, norms and behavior. With due diligence are aligned with the global strategy of the EU foreign and security policy, which is one of the priorities of cyber security.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We can say that CEI is a „bridge“ between the EU Member States and those candidate countries and aspirant to its membership in the European Union have not yet been achieved. Belonging to this regional initiative, which provides a framework for the promotion of regional cooperation and faster European integration for Serbia is very important, especially in light of EU accession negotiations. in this respect, support member states that are our partners in the CEI, we are of the utmost importance.

CEI is also one of the oldest regional initiative on the European continent, which today brings together 18 countries, and that their experience and reputation that enjoys can achieve significant added value in the process of integration of European macro regions. In this regard, I am pleased to note the importance of the efforts invested in this field.

Regardless of other formats and organization, CEI has managed to remain current, which will, I am firmly convinced, just to confirm the audit legislation and the new Action Plan.

Serbia and its institutions at the local level, universities, civil society, have recognized the full range of capacities of funds and calls for cooperation coming from the CEI, which is reflected in the great response to the last call for funds from the Fund for Cooperation.

In the period ahead of us, I think we should make an extra effort to broaden spectrum of activity and greater visibility of this regional initiative as a forum for the discussion of political and sectoral economic issues at a high level. In this regard, I hope and deepening of cooperation of this organization with other regional and global actors, similar to what has already been established with the UN and the EU. A good example of this is announced to strengthen cooperation with the OSCE and joint projects that we support, as a country from different perspectives aware of the importance of this organization in the field. Equally we believe that, by increasing funding and perhaps individual contributions, as we have to and we did in 2014, there is room and need for the strengthening of CEI fund for joint projects.

Serbia has recognized the need to shift the internal laws CEI and supports efforts to strengthen sectoral interaction in the CEI, additional ministerial meetings on topics related to connecting the wider region, in the areas of transport, customs, transport, energy, and others that are found adequate need . There is also our clear interest in more intensive cooperation through inter-parliamentary forums. Serbia supported the work of the Expert Group for the revision of the Guidelines and hope you will soon see the result.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would eventually like to commend the efforts being made by the Republic of Belarus, as the current chairman of the CEI, and I wish the best of luck in the period ahead, as the chairman of this regional initiative.

Thanks.
“ Source: MSP