Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Secretary General Lamberto Zannier told Tanjug on Wednesday that he expects Serbia to be a constructive factor in tackling the Ukrainian crisis during its OSCE chairmanship.

Serbia is a fair mediator and, as such, it will have broad support from OSCE members, Zannier said during a visit to Brussels.

He said that he has already discussed Serbia's mandate, which starts after the New Year, with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic during a recent visit to Belgrade.

Serbia has open channels towards both the east and the west, and that is where its strength lies, the OSCE secretary general said.

He, however, noted that the situation in Ukraine is extremely complex and that there is a very real danger of a renewal of armed clashes between government forces and pro-Russian separatists.

A deterioration of the situation on the ground could lead to more intense confrontation of blocks within the OSCE, which is what we want to avoid, Zannier said, noting that efforts to renew the political dialogue need to be stepped up to avoid an escalation.