Macut meets with OSCE's Valtonen

BELGRADE - Serbia highly appreciates the support the OSCE is providing to it in the reform process and on the path to full EU membership, especially through cooperation on rule of law, human rights and democracy, Serbian PM Djuro Macut said at a meeting with Finnish FM and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen.

Macut noted that Serbia was maintaining good cooperation with OSCE institutions, especially the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), demonstrating readiness for continued work on advancement of the electoral system and the entire electoral environment.

He added that, in spite of the numerous challenges it was facing, the OSCE represented the most significant security platform for dialogue.

He said Serbs in Kosovo-Meothija constantly faced serious pressure and a denial of fundamental human rights as a result of Pristina's unilateral actions, and added that this was causing deep concerns by Serbia.

Serbia expects the international community and the OSCE to urgently ensure protection of the individual and collective rights of Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija to prevent further threats to them and expulsions, he said.

Macut said that, in its relations with neighbouring countries, Serbia was a responsible, dependable and predictable partner determined to resolve outstanding bilateral issues through dialogue - in a principled and equal manner.

He said Serbia was deeply committed to protecting and advancing the rights of national minorities and is working continuously to strengthen the institutional and legal framework in that area, he said.

The PM also noted the significance of respect for the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty, to which Serbia has been pointing consistently in international forums, an official statement said.

The parties said bilateral Serbia-Finland relations were good and that Serbia exceptionally appreciated Finland's engagement in carrying out sustainable energy projects and was interested in further advancement of cooperation in green technologies and sustainable economy and education.

Valtonen said that Finland, as the country holding the OSCE chairmanship, highly appreciated Serbia's commitment to cooperation with that organisation and would continue to support reform processes in Serbia.

She said the Serbia-OSCE partnership would be continued and strengthened further, with joint work on advancement of rule of law, democracy and human rights.