Status neutrality principle should be followed consistently

BELGRADE - Serbia's Deputy Prime Minsiter and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic met on Friday with UN Secretary General Representative and Head of the UN Office in Belgrade Peter Due to discuss SErbia's cooperation with the UN on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

Dacic pointed out the importance of consistently following the principle of the status neutrality of the international presence in Kosovo, which UNMIK guarantees, and said it was needed to maintain the level of UNMIK's presence on the ground, especially in terms of supporting the talks between Belgrade and Pristina, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated.

The two officials discussed also Serbia's activities as part of UN peace operations and the country's increased involvement in such efforts.

Serbia stands out as a leader in the Western Balkans when it comes to taking part in UN peace operations and is among the top 10 European countries in terms of the number of its military and police personnel involved in those missions, Due stated.

The two agreed that the upcoming regional roundtable discussion on UN peace operations, to be held in Belgrade October 20-21, which will be organised jointly by Serbia and the UN, will be a useful forum to review future contribution of the region's countries to promoting peace and security in the world.

Photo Tanjug Video