Dacic: Serbia not giving up on principles of international law, UN Charter

KAMPALA - Serbia has always strived to create a fairer and better world, Serbian FM Ivica Dacic said in Kampala on Thursday, noting that Belgrade continued to advocate respect of the universal principles of international law and the UN Charter.

"In the case of the Republic of Serbia, international law and the order in which the sovereignty of states is inviolable and the borders are immutable have been violated the most," Dacic said in an address at a ministerial meeting held as part of the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in the Ugandan capital.

"Such precedents lead to meaninglessness of these principles, which we all agreed on a long time ago - not only agreed, but also obliged to respect them. That is why the Republic of Serbia will not give up advocating for the universal validity of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, regardless of the fact that we ourselves are still suffering the consequences of their selective application," he added.

"It is encouraging that we are not alone in our endeavours. On the contrary, for most member states of the United Nations, as well as the Non-Aligned Movement, double standards do not exist. I also use this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you who support the efforts of the Republic of Serbia to preserve sovereignty and territorial integrity, without recognising the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

We are aware that it is not easy for those who stand by our country today in its just fight to preserve territorial integrity, just like it was not easy for us to stand by many of you when it was necessary - in your fight for national liberation.

We trust in you - our friends and comrades in the joint fight against the unilateral and forced redrawing of the borders of internationally recognised states. And this time I will repeat that we will not recognise the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, nor will we allow the so-called Kosovo to become a member of the United Nations," he said.

"We will continue to conduct an independent and independent foreign policy, based above all on the preservation of national and state interests, but always respecting the basic principles of international law. Regardless of whether anyone likes it or not, as well as all the pressures we are often exposed to because of it, Serbia has not and will never turn its back on its friends," he said.

"We are strengthening our traditional and strong friendships with African, Latin American and Asia-Pacific countries, and within the Non-Aligned Movement," Dacic also said.

"I will also repeat that the Republic of Serbia is committed to peace. Our commitment and willingness to resolve the issue of Kosovo-Metohija peacefully is a reflection of our strength and not weakness, as some try to present it. We approach the Dialogue responsibly and constructively, while Pristina, with its continuous and destabilising unilateral moves, persistently refuses to fulfill its obligations assumed long ago for more than a decade. One year is too much, and 11 years is unacceptable.

In this difficult struggle, our key priority remains - unconditionally ensuring the survival and safety of Serbs in our southern province. The Serbs have lived and will live in Kosovo-Metohija for centuries," Dacic said.