Mr Dačić: Gratitude to Algeria because it does not recognise the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija

21. Jun 2023.
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ivica Dačić met today with the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Mr Ahmed Attaf, and expressed his gratitude to Algeria regarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country.

"Algeria did not recognise the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija. Algeria respects the principle of border protection, that is, the territorial integrity of countries, and we are truly grateful for that. Likewise, it is of great importance to us that Algeria was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and it is very important that we have our friend as a member in the Security Council," Minister Dačić said. 

He said that Serbia would consider the interests of Algeria when it came to regional issues and problems concerning Algerian interests in that part of the world. 

"We are ready to exchange opinions, to inform each other about the situation in our region and the region where Algeria is located. We are all directed towards the United Nations and accordingly, we think that the UN should have a key and main role when it comes to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija and the issue of Western Sahara and other regional issues," Mr Dačić said. 

Minister Dačić emphasised the importance of decades of friendship and diplomatic relations established with Algeria 61 years ago.

 "We are very interested in the further development of our bilateral relations and in this regard, it is very important that the visits of the two presidents, our president Vučić to Algeria and the Algerian president to Serbia, are organised. Likewise, we agreed that I would also come to visit by the end of the year," said Mr Dačić.

"Since I was last in Algeria nine years ago, and the mixed committee for cooperation between Algeria and Serbia is being reactivated, the Government of Serbia appointed the Minister of Agriculture Ms Jelena Tanasković to the position of co-chairman on our part, and in this regard, it is really important that this committee create a road map on how to strengthen cooperation in various areas," said Minister Dačić.

He pointed out that Serbia had about 200 million dollars in foreign trade exchange with Algeria, and that it could certainly be much higher, and that the potential was great in various areas, including defence, culture, education, and sports.