Djuric: Even in Washington they see Kurti's malicious actions

Albin Kurti's government's actions, as well as his own actions, often exude recklessness, injustice, and brutality behind which insecurity, opportunism, and cowardice hide, Serbian Ambassador to the United States Marko Djuric says.

"They often deserve harsh words. He is neither a leader nor a hero, but a politician who is not up to the historical moment. A permanent crisis is certain with Kurti and the Serbs and Albanians. Many people in the US positions know how much his malicious actions harm the regional situations. I don't believe that Kurti will change, but I wish him that for the New Year," Djuric said in an interview with Novosti when asked if Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti had been permanently "disciplined" after the last crisis in the north or if new crises threatened.

What does it mean when you say that Pristina lost the carte blanche to the US and the international community after the last crisis in northern Kosovo?

The fact that the US, together with the EU, made a statement that there would be no prosecution for participation in the barricades, as well as that several US officials said that they understood the Serbs' dissatisfaction and their need for legitimate demands to be heard – isn't it the confirmation that there is no carte blanche for Kurti. We cannot change events and relations from the past, but we must change the future. That's why we should not get carried away by thinking that Kurti will stop. In our team in Washington, in close coordination with Belgrade, we fight every day for our "case" to be heard at various levels, and for Serbia to be seen as it is - a country that is looking for a fair deal for itself and that wants friendship and cooperation with the US, even on this sensitive issue that had painfully divided us in the past. Since that time, the world, Serbia, and our position in the US and the world have changed, and the only thing that hasn't changed is Kurti's obsession with the old wounds. How ugly and unfair it is that he only wants to hear and see the wounds of his side.

There is an impression that the US is not the main generator of pressure on Serbia after all.

At the invitation of President Vucic, I joined the efforts to dismantle the latest escalation cycle. We succeeded, at least for a very limited time. Every day of peace is precious to us. Messrs Escobar and Hill, together with Lajcak, have been Serbia's constructive partners in the previous weeks. Some other countries have not been. It is useless pointing finger at those other countries here. We all know which they are. Serbian diplomacy will work on strengthening the capacity at all levels to influence such opinions.

What is Serbia's room for maneuver if the fake state's territorial integrity is more important to Pristina and part of the international community than Serbian heads, as President Vucic says?

Our room for maneuver is limited by circumstances that are beyond our control. No matter how serious they are, they are a minor part of the story. Even in the last crisis, resolve and determination played a key role, paired with our institutional, economic, and defense capacities. In Raska, I saw the Serbian president ready to do everything for his people at a critical moment. I saw representatives of our people, officers, police officers, and soldiers worthy of their ancestors. I saw wisdom, patience, and flexibility in our path to achieving the set goals.

For the first time, the US, the EU, and KFOR gave important guarantees concerning the security of Serbs in the north. How can we count on anyone's guarantees if the agreements reached so far have not been respected?

The international guarantees we received are a step in the right direction for improving our people's legal and political position in the north, and they give their struggle international legitimacy. That is why they are protesting in Pristina. Are the guarantees enough – they are not; are they better than not having them and having shootings – they are.

The US is increasingly calling on Pristina to form the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities. Do you believe this will happen, or will there be attempts to make that issue part of the negotiations as a part of the Franco-German plan for Kosovo?

Although the US is not a signatory to the Brussels Agreement, it is very positive that today it is leading among Western countries in calling for the CSM establishment. The Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija have two key political demands – a return to the situation before February 2022 (illegal bases removal) and the start of the CSM formation. Serbia strongly supports these demands.

Since you have been the ambassador, the Serbian caucus in the US has been growing. What is its strength when it comes to creating American politics toward Serbia?

We have a new embassy, and I'm not only referring to our pride – a new building owned by Serbia, less than a kilometer from the White House. We have a dynamic team that gives new impulses in all fields of cooperation and our presence in the US. The Serbian caucus has not only doubled in number but has also been revived. Prominent Congress members from both parties have raised their voices in favor of our people in recent months.