Djuric: Kurti got out of control; the reaction of the US and other powers is crucial to stand in the way of his insanity

As someone who was at the head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija for six years, who knows the Serbs in Kosovo to the core, and who has personally felt the arbitrariness of the temporary institutions in Pristina, I am deeply affected by everything that is happening in Kosovo and Metohija, and with our people, I feel fear, uncertainty, and worry every day. I, therefore, welcome the clear and unequivocal condemnation of Kurti's actions by US officials, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

This was stated by Serbian Ambassador to the US, Marko Djuric in an interview for Kurir and he indicated that "it is essential that America, but other major world powers, sanction and neutralize the harmful effects of Pristina with concrete reactions and measures".

"That is perhaps the only way to stand in the way of Kurti's insanity, which is now worryingly serious, endangering the survival of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. What Serbia and America, as well as all UN members, have in common is the desire to preserve peace, and stability in our region, but above all the protection of life and basic human rights. This is what unites us all and puts us on the same side, completely opposite to the one Kurti is on," Djuric said.

You have frequent meetings with American officials. Do you get the impression from those conversations that the attitude towards Serbia is really changing? What are the main messages they convey to you in those conversations?

We have witnessed significantly improved relations between Serbia and the US in the last ten years, a relationship that opened a new chapter in the book of our common history. We go to every meeting with representatives of the State Department and Congress with pride and with our heads held high, I inform them about the results and successes of our country, and I talk with them about further steps and plans. What I have personally noticed in these two and a half years here is an open and affirmative attitude towards Serbia, respect for our views, trust, and sincere support for our state policy. The fact that America looks at Serbia with new eyes is a direct reflection of our increasingly intensive bilateral cooperation in all fields, the serious and responsible approach of our state leadership led by President Aleksandar Vucic, as well as our positioning as a factor of stability and a pillar of economic development in the region.

Not only the US, but for the first time it happened that all five members of the UN Security Council condemned Pristina's moves. Can and how can our diplomacy take advantage of this new climate on the international level?

With a long series of Kurti's bad decisions, Pristina has worn out the credit of its founders until recently. Even they can no longer turn a blind eye to the incendiary rhetoric, tendentious persecution of the Serbs, and malicious moves, which are not only ethically motivated but also represent a serious threat to the stability of the entire region. Unfortunately, it had to be such a serious situation for the international community to open its eyes. We appreciate the fact that the international community is unanimous in its harsh criticism of Kurti's government and that regardless of our pronounced differences regarding the status of the southern Serbian province, at least on this issue it is finally on the side of truth and fairness.

However, despite all the condemnations and warnings of the international community, the Kosovo Prime Minister continues as before with even harsher rhetoric towards the Serbs, threatening persecution and provoking its, until now, biggest ally, the US.  What can we expect in such a situation on the ground, some new pogrom of the Serbs, how can we react?

I'm afraid Kurti has gotten seriously out of control and has brought the situation in the north of the province to a boiling point. His confrontation with the great powers regarding those principles that are inviolable to the human community and humanity as a whole is a fact that seriously worries not only us members of the people who suffer from his violence, pressures, and discrimination but also the greater part of the civilized world. In such a situation, we must remain composed, calm, reasonable, always ready for all scenarios, but clearly determined to preserve the peace by acting wisely and not allowing further escalation of violence, and to stand resolutely and firmly in protecting our people and Serbian interests.

Kosovo is the most important and burning issue at the moment, but it is not the only one. Protests by the opposition in Belgrade have been going on for weeks; you know what their demands are... However, they don't want to talk about early elections, until the demands are met. According to you, will we have an extraordinary vote, and what is more certain - fall of this year or spring of next year?

In the two days of May, our country was beset by unspeakable and immeasurable pain, and I think we owe it to the victims and their families to direct our collective grief towards unity, towards harmony in the future creation of such conditions and an environment in which such crimes will never happen again. I firmly oppose efforts to abuse tragedies for political brokering and revanchism. Serbia is a democratic country that chooses the government in elections, listening to the voice of its people and not on the street. I ask all citizens to keep in mind that we must not allow ourselves to be tricked into a situation where we are weakened by internal divisions and instability in a crucial period for the protection of state and national interests in Kosovo and Metohija. Elections are coming up in a few months, and that is the only right place to evaluate the work of politicians.

There were serious changes in the Serbian Progressive Party at the election assembly; you have a new president, Milos Vucevic. What kind of the Serbian Progressive Party can we expect in the future?

I am sure that the Serbian Progressive Party, as the largest, most influential, and strongest political party in Serbia, will now under the leadership of another colleague, comrade, and friend, Milos Vucevic, continue on the path paved by Aleksandar Vucic, guided by the interests of Serbia and the Serbs and following the same ideas, principles and the values that we have represented so far and that brought us together 16 years ago.

The formation of a new movement from Vidovdan was also announced. Who else are you expecting in the movement, and can we see you at any of the leading functions?

I expect new energy, a new unity, and new enthusiasm from all those who put Serbia first, because Aleksandar Vucic, who is at the core of the future movement, has the capacity, experience, and trust of the majority of Serbia to implement the vision of a new movement of the Serbs as a supra-party concept. In these times, challenges, trials, and uncertainties we find ourselves, I deeply believe that the People's Movement for Serbia represents a new hope for overcoming all difficulties and creating a better tomorrow for our country and all its citizens. At the moment I am not running for office, I am trying to make a concrete contribution to Serbia's position through the work I do in Washington. However, I am not without political ambitions. I strongly believe in strengthening institutions, building economic and social mobility of our people, and the rule of law. These are the principles I will fight for in whatever job I do.