Socialist Party of Serbia president Ivica Dacic said on July 17 that the party had become an important player on the Serbian political scene because it had learned from its mistakes in the 21 years that it has existed.

"The moral is that power is transitory, and that what should stay is a responsibility toward state interests and performing public office honestly," Dacic said at a celebration on the 21th anniversary of the the Socialist Party of Serbia's beginnings, held in Belgrade's Sava Center.

He said the Socialists' goals was to achieve the best possible results in the next election and ultimately victory, including its coalition partners in the government.

The celebration was attended by Socialist officials, coalition representatives from the Party of United Pensioners of Serbia and United Serbia, diplomatic representatives, including U.S. Ambassador Mary Warlick and German Ambassador Wolfram Maas.