BELGRADE - Serbian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the country supports parties directly involved in the South China Sea dispute to have dialogue.

"Directly interested parties should peacefully settle the dispute in the South China Sea," Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

"Serbia provides support to directly interested parties to find an acceptable solution within the framework of bilateral relations and rules set by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), by fulfilling principles of peaceful resolution of conflicts," the ministry said.

The DOC calls on states directly involved in territorial and maritime disputes to resolve their differences through peaceful negotiations. It was signed by China and all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).