Meeting with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Serbia’s First Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic

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International organizations are in need of immediate reforms, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Serbia’s First Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic on 21 July.

“The role of the OSCE and other international organizations has been belittled to the maximum,” the Belarusian head of state said. In his words, it is high time the UN, the OSCE and other organizations were reformed. "Otherwise, these organizations will become marginal having no influence," said the President of Belarus.

"Probably Serbia will be able to do something in this direction. If you decide to address at least some part of this problem, you can count on us,” he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that his attitude towards the OSCE is ambivalent. On the one hand, it is a very useful organization. "It is very relevant today, when a military conflict is going on in Europe, when there is actually a war between the warring parties. In this situation the OSCE could play a big part,” the Belarusian head of state said. “On the one hand, it is a useful organization that should play a considerable role in ensuring security and cooperation in Europe. On the other hand, the role it plays is not big,” the Belarusian leader said. In his words, the blame is on the organization itself and, first of all, the heads of its member states.

"There is war. The heads of state should have met urgently to discuss this problem and take some measures, decisions. If they failed to take these measures, at least they would have a chance to tell each other what they think about each other. So far this is not happening,” the Belarusian leader said.

“On the other hand, the OSCE is doing its best to help regulate the conflict in the east of Ukraine. However, with the powers the OSCE has today and no support from the heads of state, the organization can hardly do anything in this situation,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. This is the reasons why we have new formats like Normandy, Berlin, Minsk and others, the Belarusian leader said. “It could have been done by one organization, the OSCE. It is its function,” the head of state added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko underlined that he would like to discuss both the position of Belarus in this important international organization and the issues of bilateral relations between Belarus and Serbia.

Belarus has made a huge contribution to the peace process, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Serbia’s First Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic stressed for his part. "Here in Minsk, numerous agreements and arrangements are made. Minsk hosts the tripartite contact group and its working groups. Thus, Belarus has made a huge contribution to the peace process,” said Ivica Dacic.

In his words, Serbia, currently presiding in the OSCE, is doing its level best to promote the political process, especially in the issues pertaining to Ukraine. Serbia also attaches equal attention to other frozen conflicts in Europe.

Speaking about the Belarusian-Serbian relations, Ivica Dacic stressed that they are friendly. “We are committed to developing the comprehensive relations between the two countries including in the political, economic, scientific, cultural, educational and defense sectors,” he said.

Ivica Dacic also conveyed greetings from Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and Premier Aleksandar Vucic to the Belarusian leader.