Deputy Prime Minister Jovan Krkobabić, the head of the Serbian delegation, met with António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees at the 62nd session of the Executive Committee of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva. Guterres explained that regional cooperation in the Balkan region is unique and that, thanks to the political will, it is possible to end the refugee situation. In an extensive dialogue, he expressed the awareness of invested efforts and long path towards achieving the present results the countries in the region crossed during the last few years.

Antonio Guterres announced that, in order to prepare the donor conference more efficiently and provide all the necessary resources, he, the senior officials and the head of the UNHCR will soon visit Belgrade.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees expressed special thanks to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, because, as he said – there would be no donor conference without his determination to end the refugee crisis. This created a new approach to solving the problem and can serve as a model for getting to the bottom of refugee crisis elsewhere as well. Mr. Guterres also showed his appreciation of the efforts of Serbia regarding the Regional Process, pointing out that the refugee situation in the Balkans can be solved only through the process of regional cooperation.

- Political issues in the region cannot be dealt with without solving refugee situation- stressed Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia. Serbia invested maximum efforts so it is natural to expect from other countries of the region to try and do this. Unfortunately, this was not the case in the past. The issues of the refugee population will not disappear if we simply adopt a Declaration or sweep these problems under the carpet – said Krkobabić.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his concerns regarding fresh wave of internally displaced persons from the southern Serbian province and asked for support from Antonio Guterres. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees stressed that solving these issues often depends on the policy of the moment even though we are talking about a lasting process. He also stated that UNHCR will not overlook this problem.

The meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees was preceded by a meeting with the U.S. delegation led by David Robinson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, U.S. Department of State. During the meeting, Robinson pointed out that the USA believes that the issue of finding solutions to the refugee issue is a lasting process and that they will do all within their power to provide financial support through the process and its finalization.

David Robinson expressed the determination of the United States to be the main donor of the Regional conference. He expects that, other than the EU and Japan, a few more great countries expressed their intentions to participate in this process. The United States Senior Official announced that the principles of the donor conference are to be harmonized in November.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia formally invited officials to the Ministerial Conference in Belgrade. Donors’ assistance at the upcoming conference is of high importance for regional fund.  This and precise execution of the agreement achieved through regional cooperation will lead to a more efficient implementation and solutions to the refugee issue.  Serbia expects support from the US in this matter – stressed Krkobabić.