The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, President of the Republic of Serbia.  During the meeting, they discussed progress in the ongoing Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.  The Secretary-General commended Serbia for the steps it had taken in the context of the dialogue facilitated by the European Union, expressing confidence that the agreements reached would improve the lives of all in Kosovo.  The Secretary-General underlined the importance of successful local elections in Kosovo in November, as well as the participation of the Kosovo Serb community.

The Secretary-General reiterated the readiness of the United Nations to support reconciliation in the Western Balkans region.  He expressed appreciation for Serbia’s important contribution to the United Nations’ peace operations and its continued cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.