KIEV, Dec. 23 - The situation in Ukraine will be a priority during the Serbian presidency of the OSCE, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said.

"Unfortunately, Ukraine is a priority issue for the next year. I say 'unfortunately,' because I sympathize in connection with the events that are happening in the east of Ukraine," he told reporters after talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin.

According to Dacic, Serbia respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine and will do everything it can as OSCE chair to facilitate the de-escalation of the situation.