Dacic: Serbia wants good relations with all neighbors

DIMITROVGRAD - Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday that Serbia wants good relations with all neighbors, and the normalization of relations with Pristina, but that its position on the non-recognition of Kosovo's independence remains the same.

Belgrade will continue the dialogue with Pristina, Dacic said, after unveiling a monument to Bulgarian revolutionary leader Vasil Levski in Dimitrovgrad, southeastern Serbia, together with Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski.

"We want good relations with all neighbors and I think we have done a lot concerning the establishment of peace and stability in the region," the Serbian prime minister said.

Commenting on the status of the Bulgarian national minority in Serbia, Dacic said that the state wants all members of national minorities to have access to all that is necessary for preserving their identity.

"Bulgaria is interested in its people living here, and we are interested in ensuring that our citizens of Bulgarian nationality are satisfied here," the Serbian prime minister underscored.

Oresharski told reporters that he is glad that Dacic sees the Bulgarian national minority as a bridge of cooperation between the two peoples.

"There are problems, but also the willingness to solve them. A part of these problems are technical in nature, such as the issue of school books," he said.

Oresharski mentioned economic growth, construction works on the transport corridor, and further strengthening of cross-border cooperation as the most significant issues.

Addressing a gathering of several hundred people on the town’s main square, Dacic said it is time for building good and tolerant relations as Bulgaria and Serbia are neighbors...