Ivica Dacic serbia
© mfa.gov.rsIvica Dacic – Deputy prime minister and foreign minister
Serbia wants to be an EU member and we are aware of our obligations on that pathway, however we have to bear in mind our national interests as well, Ivica Dacic, Serbia's first deputy prime minister and foreign minister, stated on Sunday.

Commenting on the calls by certain European officials on Serbia to align its policy with the EU regarding the Ukrainian crisis, Dacic said for Radio and Television of Serbia that Serbia respects the EU rules, but it will not introduce measures against Russia, which is its traditional friend. "The more we approach the EU, the more we will be obliged to abide by the common foreign and security policy of the EU. However, in this phase Serbia has to demonstrate its commitment to the EU on one side, while on the other it should assess its state and national interests in every individual case," the minister said. He said that Serbia has voiced its stance very clearly. "We respect the territorial integrity of every UN member state, while Serbia cannot and will not introduce any sanctions against its traditional friend - Russia," Dacic said, adding that this stance is principled. "We are familiar with our obligations, but life has taught us that we have to bear in mind our interests as well. It would be much easier for us, if we had heard something similar when Kosovo acted illegally in relation to Serbia," Dacic said.