NEW YORK - Serbia is a pillar of stability in the Western Balkan region, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday during the talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

This is why Serbia did not respond to provocations, and this is a testimony of its strength, not weakness, Vucic said during his meeting with Ban in New York on Thursday, ahead of the UN Security Council session on Kosovo.

He noted that the Serbian government adopted several important laws, implemented some critical reforms and conducted fiscal consolidation, and it also reached a precautionary arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

This shows that the country is on the right track and that we do not need any destabilisation in the Western Balkans, Vucic said.

He underscored that although Belgrade and Pristina maintain different stands on the issue of Kosovo's independence, Serbia will fight for the life of people in Kosovo and their future in the area. He noted that Belgrade will continue the talks with Pristina under EU auspices.

The prime minister invited the UN secretary general to come and visit Serbia.

During the meeting, Ban Ki-moon underscored that the UN is always ready to cooperate with the Serbian government and countries in the region.

Belgrade-Pristina ties are very important and we hope the top-level dialogue will continue after the constitution of the Pristina government, he said.

Ban underscored that Serbia's chairmanship in OSCE bears great importance because it will make room for closer cooperation with the UN in the promotion of peace and stability. He also welcomed Serbia's decision to increase the number of its participants in peacekeeping missions under UN auspices worldwide.

Vucic underscored that Serbia advocates an increased number of its participants in UN peacekeeping missions because it wants to provide assistance in the restoration of peace worldwide.

He expressed gratitude to the UN for the assistance it provided after the flashing floods that hit Serbia in May.

Vucic will address the UN Security Council at the session later on Thursday, during which the UN secretary general should present his quarterly report on UNMIK work for the period from July 16 to October 15.

In his report, Ban voiced concerns over the political delay in Pristina and called on Kosovo leaders to intensify the efforts in the search for a solution to this matter and resume the dialogue with Belgrade as soon as possible.

The UN secretary general congratulated the authorities in Belgrade and Pristina on the progress they achieved on their EU paths and encouraged a prompt resumption of high-level dialogue under the EU auspices.

He noted that the European Commission said in its October report on Serbia that the progress in the normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations bears key importance for the EU path of Serbia and Kosovo.

Ban noted that technical talks have been restored and that certain progress has been achieved in the area of integrated border management, telecommunications, energy and freedom of movement.