NEW YORK - Serbia advocates reinforcement of the UN role in the preservation of peace and security and respect of international law, Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ivica Dacic stated in New York on Monday.

The foundations of respect for international law and rule of law primarily rest on respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity of any country, and the solution to any crisis can only be found through a dialogue and not through a military intervention, Dacic said during an open debate of the UN Security Council on the reflection on history, affirmation of strong commitment to purpose and principles of the UN Charter.

A sovereign country cannot be created by cancelling the existence and sovereignty of another country, Dacic said and added that the rights of one country's citizens must not be realised through violation of rights of citizens in other countries.

Dacic underscored that Serbia supports the efforts to examine and identify the possibilities and manners to improve the work of all UN organs and bodies, especially with respect to the preservation of international peace and security and united response to most complex security challenges and threats.

He noted that the common goal - to make the world a better, more developed and more just place - entails international cooperation based on principles of equality of countries, denouncement of use of force, non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, respect of territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes and mutual respect.

These are the basic principles Serbia is guided by both in its foreign policy and as the OSCE chair, Dacic underscored.

The Serbian foreign minister noted that OSCE partnership with the UN bears vital importance for the preservation of long-term peace and security in the geographic territory from Vancouver to Vladivostok.

The only way to peace and prosperity, as we could see on our example after a difficult and challenging period after the '90s and recently in the territory of Kosovo-Metohija, is through mutual cooperation, respect and appreciation, Dacic said.

Tolerance in all its forms, and especially in religious terms, is the key for overcoming problems which the modern world is facing in increasingly cruel ways, he noted.

Dacic stated that coercive measures should be used only as the final resort and only in cases when international peace and security are realistically jeopardised or breached.

The ongoing dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina under EU auspices best shows our determination and full commitment to the normalisation of relations and the search for a lasting and sustainable political solution for Kosovo, the Serbian minister said.

Noting that the number of crisis spots in the world is on an increase, Dacic said that Serbia is proud of its leading position in the south-east European region according to the criterion of participation and contribution to UN missions.

As a representative of the country whose members are actively deployed in eight UN missions, I wish to underscore that the safety of all those who are participating in the creation and implementation of global peace needs to be one of the priorities, he said.

As OSCE chairperson-in-office, Minister Dacic will stay in the U.S. until February 26, where he will take part in the UN activities and conduct talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.