Serbia pays special attention to the protection of human rights, but the bilateral relations with China represent one of Serbia's highest national interests, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic stated, commenting on Serbia's decision not to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo.

Serbia pays special attention to human rights protection, as demonstrated in the country itself. The protection of human rights is one of prerequisites for Serbia's EU integration, Jeremic said at a press conference following his meeting with Uruguay's Foreign Minister Luis Almagro.

On the other hand, Serbia attaches special importance to its relations with China and to ensuring that all state decisions are conducive to accomplishing Serbia's national interests, Jeremic added.

He also reminded that China is one of the four pillars of Serbia's foreign policy.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced earlier on Tuesday that China and 18 other countries had refused to attend the peace prize ceremony on Friday, which is being awarded to Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese dissident.