Djuric: Serbia advocating return of diplomacy as way of solving problems

ANTALYA - Serbia's caretaker FM Marko Djuric said on Friday Serbia was advocating a return of diplomacy as a way of solving problems in light of a series of global crises raging in Europe and the Middle East.

Speaking to reporters in Antalya, where he is attending the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Djuric said Serbia was participating in the forum with that clear message.

"We believe it is time, more than ever before, to return to discussions, to return to a practical, rule-based way of problem-solving. Serbia is adhering to certain principles. Those are the principles of the UN Charter, territorial integrity and sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states," Djuric noted.

He said Serbia looked very broadly at a spectrum of countries and friendships it was seeking to cherish with them.

He added that he would have a series of meetings with ministers and other officials at the Antalya forum.

He said he had already spoken with the UK's Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty and the FM of Benin and that he would also meet with ministers of African and Asian states.

Djuric announced that later in the day, alongside ministers from some 40 other countries, he would also attend a dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and FM Hakan Fidan.