BELGRADE - Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic and the new representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Belgrade Hans Friedrich Schodder discussed on Thursday the issue of displaced persons in Serbia and the implementation of the Regional Housing Program for refugees.

The two officials expressed their support for a further cooperation between Serbia and the UNHCR in resolving the issues of long-term displacement, statelessness and a large increase in asylum seekers, the Serbian Foreign Ministry said in a release.

Dacic pointed to the continuously high numbers of refugees in the region and the long-term IDPs from Kosovo-Metohija living in central Serbia.

He added that he expects the UNHCR to continue its engagement in Serbia, including Kosovo-Metohija, although the focus has shifted from the Balkans to the new refugee crises.

Schodder commended Serbia for the activities it undertakes to reduce statelessness, adding that the UNHCR is ready to provide assistance in the matter of asylum seekers in Serbia, the statement reads.