Serbia welcomes dialogue on conflict resolution in Mali

BELGRADE - Serbia welcomes the dialogue aimed at reaching a comprehensive resolution of conflict in the Republic of Mali, and stresses its support to the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Serbia welcomes the beginning of the second stage of inter-Malian inclusive dialogue and the adoption of a roadmap at the end of the first round of peace talks, Serbian Foreign Ministry released on its website.

Serbia supports the efforts made by Algeria, the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) towards achieving a comprehensive resolution of the conflict.

The Serbian ministry's release also states that Algeria, with its thoughtful and responsible approach and the constructive role of mediator between the parties, has confirmed its position as a significant regional and international factor in mediation issues and conflict resolution.

Serbia also expressed the satisfaction with the release of two Algerian hostages on August 30th, and the deep sorrow over the death of two persons from the group of Algerian diplomats abducted in Mali two years ago.

The remaining three hostages were released earlier.

The Republic of Serbia firmly rejects terrorism as a means to achieve political, ethnic or religious objectives or resolve open issues, and believes that a sustainable solution can only be reached through the current peace talks, the release states.

The government of Mali and the Tuareg rebels signed an agreement several weeks ago that should set a roadmap for peace accords and end the decades-long rebellion in northern Mali.

The roadmap calls for solving questions of substance by September 11th, before addressing the security,...