| |     ћирилица | latinica  
Home
Minister Selakovic speaks for Politika: The year of rejuvenation of Serbian diplomacy

Serbia's foreign policy positions are naturally being adjusted to the new developments at the international level, but our foreign policy priorities have not changed in a long time. Our top and most important interest is to preserve good-neighbourly relations and stability and peace in the region and, in the same context, to find a peaceful and just solution to the problems in Kosovo and Metohija, Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said in an interview with Politika daily.

Another lasting interest of ours is full membership of the European Union, because this is the type of society we strive for. At the bilateral level, our goal is to strengthen ties with traditional friends, the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, but also to build new partner relations with the United States. One of the most important tasks of our foreign policy is to improve the position and protect the rights and identity of our people in the region, as well as to provide various types of support to Serbs in the diaspora. All these are very important and more often than not complementary goals, Nikola Selakovic pointed out.


What kind of relations do you expect Serbia to have with the new U.S. administration?

It is too early to speculate about this in public. The new presidential administration in Washington is currently preoccupied with internal issues and this will be the case for some time. There are people in the team of President Joseph Biden who have dealt with our region, and it is likely that the Balkans and Serbia will be the focus of the U.S. foreign policy at some point. I will remind you that President Vucic and President Biden not so long ago had very substantive talks in Belgrade, after which our President stated that he had the opportunity to talk to someone extremely well acquainted with the situation in this part of the world and an extraordinarily prepared interlocutor. Taking their personal relationship into account, but also the importance of enhancing the ties between Serbia and the United States, we have reason to expect that a meeting between the two presidents will be organized in the foreseeable future. I am sure that the nature and dynamics of the relations between Serbia and the United States will be influenced by the fact that Ambassador Marko Djuric now represents us in Washington, whose presence at President Biden's inauguration ceremony is an important signal and, I believe, a harbinger of positive developments in bilateral relations between our two countries.

How would you describe our country's relations with Moscow, Brussels and Beijing?

Russia is our traditional friend and that friendship goes beyond merely political ties. These are deep spiritual, cultural and civilizational bonds, and it is only natural that we have a mutual interest in improving those ties, even though they are at a very high level. We have a relationship with the People's Republic of China which is, in addition to the sincere iron-clad friendship between our peoples and high political representatives, based on deep trust and mutual support. Full membership of the European Union is Serbia's strategic orientation that all our friends are aware of, but our country does not forget its friendships, but strengthens and promotes them instead, and approaches all with honesty and no ulterior motives. In this context, we do not seek any preferential treatment, but only the right to freely and independently make decisions about our future and relations with all who respect us. 

Could Serbia pursue a different foreign policy than the one it is pursuing at the moment?

It is always possible to have a different policy, just look at the foreign policy of Serbia ten, twenty or thirty years ago, examine the results at that time and you will realize how irretrievably expensive that policy turned out to be. Whether a policy is right, at either foreign or domestic level, is measured through its results and effect on the lives of citizens and the fate of the entire state.
Our foreign policy priorities are not being defined on a whim, but are instead the result of a serious and deep examination of our complex position and strategic thinking about ways to improve it. Today, Serbia has a better international reputation and credibility than two decades ago, and the main reason for that is that our results have shown how serious and responsible we are as a country. That kind of credibility is not achieved by trickery, but only by hard and well-thought-out work on oneself. And I need to emphasize on this occasion as well that the main inspiration for such an attitude towards politics, the state and its future comes from none other than President Aleksandar Vucic. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I have the opportunity on a daily basis to see the level of appreciation and respect President Vucic enjoys beyond the borders of our country.


When can we expect the vacant posts of Serbian ambassadors and consuls across the globe to be filled?

That is one of the main tasks for 2021. This will be a year of reinvigoration and I believe also rejuvenation of Serbian diplomacy. Our country, given its size, has a fairly extensive diplomatic network, which provides it with great opportunities for deepening political and economic relations with countries in all parts of the world. But we need more fresh and energetic staff, people who will be the most honourable representatives of a modern and dynamic Serbia. There are such people in Serbia, and we do need a serious rejuvenation, in order to avoid wide generation gaps in our personnel, and to lay the foundations of a modern career diplomacy.


How would you describe your relationship with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic?

President Vucic and I are, in addition to having close and friendly relations, by virtue of the work we do and our constitutional competencies, the closest collaborators in the realization of Serbia's foreign policy goals. This allows me to talk to him often, and on many occasions learn a lot of new and important things. President Vucic is a man who inspires people around him with his strategic and visionary approach to politics, and I am proud to have had the opportunity to be part of his closest team of associates over the years, and to have had him as a kind of political mentor. In any case, his vision of Serbia as a modern, progressive and prosperous state, which independently and on its own will decides on its destiny, is my wish as well and key motivation for political engagement. For only such Serbia is a country that its own citizens, as well as Serbs beyond our borders, can confidently rely on, while also being an inspiration to the entire region.

Source: Politika


Print version
News
Book of condolence
Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković at the meeting of the UN Security Council on the report on the work of UNMIK
Selaković: Serbia is actively involved in combating terrorism, radicalism and extremism
Foreign Minister Selaković meeting with the Head of the EU Delegation and the Ambassadors of the EU Member States
Belgrade to get Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution
Opening of cluster 4 important turning point for Serbia
Selakovic in talks with the Chief of the General Staff of Greece
Selaković spoke with Giaufret and EU ambassadors
Selaković and Gouillon presented the "Mother Serbia" award to Đorđe Mihailović
Selaković at Zeitenlik: Serbia is still fighting for honour and freedom and wins in all fields
Serbia expects support for opening clusters by end year
UNESCO’s role extremely important for preservation of Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija
Minister Selaković and Archbishop Ieronymos II on the closeness of the two peoples and the church
Selaković in Athens: Peace and stability in the region a condition for economic growth and progress
Traditional friendship and excellent cooperation between Serbia and Greece
Selaković in Athens with Greek businessmen
Address of the President of the Republic of Serbia at the United Nations climate change conference COP26 held in Glasgow
Serbia attaches great importance to friendship and cooperation with Greece
Continuous communication with EU on further reforms
Selaković in UNSC: Dialogue and the implementation of the agreements reached are the only right way to resolve all open issues
President Vučić attended ceremony of the beginning of works on the modernization and rehabilitation of the Niš-Brestovac railway
Selaković in New York with 28 foreign ministers on economic successes of Serbia and K&M situation
Telephone conversation of President Vučić and General Secretary of NATO
Pristina seriously jeopardised regional stability
Prime Minister Brnabic at Global COVID-19 summit organised by White House
Marking the Remembrance Day of all Serbs who died and were expelled in the armed operation "Storm"
President Vučić: We have decided – our goal is the EU, but China is an important partner
Serbia has achieved great success in the field of digitalization
Participation of Minister of Health Dr Zlatibor Lončar in Summit organized by WHO in Athens
Selaković invited representatives of members of the NAM to gather in Belgrade in October
Serbia strongly supports Berlin Process
President Vučić participates in the Mini Schengen conference
Address by the President of the Republic of Serbia at the session of the United Nations Security Council
Minister Selaković presented the new e-Consulate service
Vucic: We consider Europe our home
Selakovic: Serbia demonstrated that solidarity does not solely have to be the privilege of the rich
Selakovic congratulates Josep Borrell on Europe Day
President Vučić met via video link with representatives of the IMF delegation
Meeting with the World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe
WHO describes immunisation process in Serbia as impressive
Selakovic: Pristina persists in its campaign of hatred against the Serbian people
Selakovic: Political extremism of Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija is becoming stronge
Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic
Foreign Ministers of Greece and Cyprus visit the Church of Saint Sava with Minister Selakovic
Trilateral meetings with Greece and Cyprus every six months
Clear and unequivocal support of Greece to Serbia's EU membership
Marking the Day of Remembrance of the victims of the NATO aggression
ΕΙΣ ΜΝΗΜΗΝ ΤΩΝ ΘΥΜΑΤΩΝ
Commemorating Remembrance Day of 17 March 2004 - Pogrom in Kosovo and Metohija
Meeting with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union
Selakovic: Fight against all forms of crime is a priority of the Serbian Government
Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb and Ljubljana elected as the new Patriarch of Serbia
President Vucic: Serbia is ready for dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija, but will refuse being humiliated
Meeting with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia
Selaković and Dendias: Very good relations between Serbia and Greece
Minister Selaković: Serbia is committed to the values of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative
Minister Selakovic speaks for Politika: The year of rejuvenation of Serbian diplomacy
President Vucic: Serbia is the first in Europe in terms of growth
Every Serb in the diaspora is potentially a lobbyist
Minister Selakovic: New ambassadors will be appointed this year, but the goals remain the same
President Vucic: Serbia to remain on the course of a winning policy of stability
Serbian Prime Minister the first PM in Europe to receive a Covid-19 vaccine
Minister Selakovic: Full EU membership remains a priority of the new Government
Brnabic and Borrell: Political and economic aspects of negotiations
J. Joksimović and Roth on Serbia’s negotiations and new methodology
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
President meets the ambassadors of the EU member states accredited to Serbia and the head of the European Union Delegation
Συνάντηση του Πρέσβη με τον Υπουργό Δικαιοσύνης
Συνάντηση του Πρέσβη με την Υπουργό Παιδείας και Θρησκευμάτων
Συνάντηση του Πρέσβη με τον Υπουργό Προστασίας του Πολίτη
ΣΥΝΑΝΤΗΣΗ ΜΕ ΤΟΝ ΥΦΥΠΟΥΡΓΟ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΩΝ Κο ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟ ΦΡΑΓΚΟΓΙΑΝΝΗ
ΕΠΙΣΚΕΨΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΡΧΗΓΟΥ ΓΕΕΘΑ ΤΗΣ ΣΕΡΒΙΑΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ
Επίσκεψη του Πρέσβη στην ΠΑΕ ΑΕΚ
Έκθεση «Ο Α΄ Παγκόσμιος Πόλεμος με το βλέμμα δύο γυναικών ζωγράφων: Καραβία – Πέτροβιτς»
Έναρξη εργασιών του Προξενείου της Δημοκρατίας της Σερβίας στο Βόλο
Υποτροφίες της κυβέρνησης της Δημοκρατίας της Σερβίας για το ακαδημαϊκό έτος 2018/2019.
Αδελφοποίηση του Δήμου Νις με τον Δήμο των Σερρών
Επίσημη επίσκεψη του Υπουργού Παιδείας, Επιστημών και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης κου Μλάντεν Σάρτσεβιτς στην Ελλάδα
Εκπρόσωποι Πανεπιστημίων της Σερβίας επισκέπτονται την Αθήνα
Συνεργασία δήμων από την Σερβία και την Ελλάδα
Ανακοίνωση σχετικά με την κατάργηση των θεωρήσεων για τους πολίτες της Δημοκρατίας του Περού
Εκδήλωση αφιερωμένη στην εορτή του Αγίου Σάββα στην Πρεσβεία της Δημοκρατίας της Σερβίας στην Αθήνα
Διαγωνισμός συγχρηματοδότησης πολιτιστικών δραστηριοτήτων Σέρβων στο εξωτερικό για το έτος 2017
Συνάντηση του Πρέσβη Ντούσαν Σπάσογιεβιτς με τον Πρωθυπουργό της Ελλάδας Αλέξη Τσίπρα
Ο Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδας σε διήμερη επίσκεψη εργασίας στην Σερβία
ΦΕΤΟΣ Η 150 ΕΠΕΤΕΙΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΥΠΟΓΡΑΦΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΥΝΘΗΚΗΣ ΣΥΜΜΑΧΙΑΣ ΜΕΤΑΞΥ ΤΗΣ ΣΕΡΒΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΑΣ
Βούτσιτς και Βούτσις: Η επίσκεψη του Τσίπρα τον Ιανουάριο ως πρόσθετη ώθηση στην συνεργασία.
Διμερείς πολιτικές διαβουλεύσεις μεταξύ των Υπουργείων Εξωτερικών της Σερβίας και της Ελλάδος
Συνάντηση του Πρέσβη κου Ντούσαν Σπάσογιεβιτς με τον Πρόεδρο του κοινοβουλευτικού κόμματος Το Ποτάμι κο Σταύρο Θεοδωράκη
Ο Ζάρκο Ομπράντοβιτς σε επίσημη επίσκεψη στην Ελλάδα: προσκλήσεις προς Τσίπρα και Παυλόπουλο να επισκεφτούν την Σερβία
The Balkans in Europe: the role of Serbia and Greece
The service of remembrance at Serbian Military Cemetery
Armistice Day November 11 is celibrated on non-working
Δεξίωση με την ευκαιρία της επισκέψεως του εκπροσώπου του Υπουργείου Δικαιοσύνης της Δημοκρατίας της Σερβίας, των μελών του Ανωτάτου Δικαστικού Συμβουλίου και του Κρατικού Συμβουλίου Εισαγγελέων της Δημοκρατίας της Σερβίας στην Ελλάδα.
INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE PROVISION OF REAL ESTATE SALES SERVICES – THE SALE OF DIPLOMATIC REAL ESTATE IN NEW YORK (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA), TOKYO (JAPAN), BONN (GERMANY), AND BERNE (SWITZERLAND)
Meeting of Ambassador Spasojević with HNDGS Chief Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis
Meeting of Ambassador Spasojević with Mr. Panagiotis Kouroumplis, Minister of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction
Meeting of Ambassador Spasojević with Ms. Maria Kollia-Tsarouha, Alternate Minister for Macedonia-Thrace
«Η Ελλάδα έχει στην Σερβία μια φίλη», ανακοίνωση του Σέρβου υπουργού Αλεξάντερ Βούλιν, εθνικού συντονιστή αρμόδιος για θέματα μεταναστευτικής και προσφυγικής κρίσης.
Ambassador Dušan Spasojević presented Credentials to H.E. Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos, President of the Hellenic Republic
Book of Condolences on the occasion of tragic death of Mrs. Slađana Stanković and Mr. Jovica Stepić, staff members of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Libya
Visit of the Delegation of Serbian Army to Greece
Why Kosovo is ineligible for membership in UNESCO?
Consultations on the basis of the MoU on European integration
Action of collecting humanitarian aid for the reception of refugees in the Republic of Serbia
Premier projection of the feature documentary "Serbia in the Great War" in Athens
Ceremony of delivering the medals to Mr. Mikis Theodorakis and to Mrs. Liana Kanelli
Ceremony of delivering the medal to Mrs. Gaga Rosić, literary translator
Open call of the Serbian Ministry of Culture for funding and co-funding of projects in the field of international cultural cooperation in 2015
Visit of Minister A. Vulin to Greece
Action of collecting humanitarian aid co-organized by the TV "SKAI" and the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia
Book of Condolences opened at the Embassy
PayPal account for flood relief opened
Participation of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister I. Dačić in the Ministerial Conference EU-Western Balkans, Thessaloniki, 7-8 May 2014
Participation of Serbian Foreign Minister I. Mrkić in the informal meeting EU-candidate countries, Athens, 5 April 2014
Official visit of Minister Mrkić to Armenia, 10-11 March 2014
10th anniversary of pogrom on Kosovo and Metohija
Official visit of the Serbian Minister of Defence Mr. Nebojša Rodić to the Hellenic Republic
Reception on the occasion of the National Day and the Day of Armed Forces of the Republic of Serbia 2014
National Day of the Republic of Serbia - notice
Participation of the Minister I. Mrkić in the Council and Conference of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative (AII), held in Athens 6-7 February 2014
"European Rhapsody" concert on the occasion of the opening accession negotiations between Serbia and the EU
Beginning of accession negotiations between Serbia and the EU
Open call of the Serbian Ministry of Culture for funding and co-funding of projects in the field of international cultural cooperation in 2014
Visit of the Serbian Minister for European Integration Mr. Branko Ružić to Athens
Audience Award for Best Film to the Serbian film "Withering" by Miloš Pušić
Greek President Mr. Karolos Papoulias decorated prof. Dusan Sidjanski
Promotion of the Greek edition of the book "This is how it began", the anthology of the stories about Greece, at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Athens
Working visit of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the Republic of Serbia H.E. Mr. Ivica Dačić to Greece, 25-27 September 2013
Minister A. Vulin at the roundtable discussion regarding the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, in the organization of ELIAMEP
“Hajduk Stanko” from Šabac at the International folklore festival in Greece
The delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia at the 20th Anniversary General Assembly of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Ortodoxy in Athens
ANNOUNCEMENT about the relocation of the Consular Department of the Embassy
Reception on the occasion of the National Day and the Day of Armed Forces of the Republic of Serbia
Official Visit of President of the Republic of Serbia to the Hellenic Republic, 9 - 11 November 2012
"Serbs in Greek Sports", Megaro Mousikis, October 5, 2012
News - Archive