Djuric: We are intensifying efforts to improve dialogue with those who have recognized Kosovo's independence

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated that Serbia is making special efforts to improve relations specifically with the countries that have recognized Kosovo, in order to, as he emphasized, gain their trust and understanding of the situation Serbia is facing.
In an interview with Voice of America, Djuric emphasized that Serbia addressed everyone with its message regarding the violation of international law at the UN General Assembly, including those that recognized Kosovo's independence, seeking to convince its partners that Serbia's territorial integrity is no less valuable than that of any other country.
"Our messages are directed at everyone, including those who have recognized the independence of Kosovo and Metohija. Sometimes, we invest additional intensity in improving dialogue with those countries because we want to deepen their understanding of our situation. We don't always ask that these countries share the same view as us, but at least to understand why our view is what it is. And that is already progress," Djuric said.
The foreign minister mentioned that on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, he had more than 30 bilateral meetings and participated in several summits and regional meetings. As a result, he stated, diplomatic relations were established with three countries, and six international cooperation agreements were signed, covering areas like diplomatic services, visa exemptions, and political consultations.
When asked about Serbia's consistent stance on international law and UN resolutions regarding Kosovo, and its cooperation with countries that recognize Kosovo's independence, Djuric explained that Serbia addresses everyone with its messages, seeking to improve dialogue, even with those who may not share Serbia's views. He noted that meetings at the UN provide an excellent opportunity to update and change perceptions about Serbia and the broader region, which has often been associated with negative news in past decades.
"I invited numerous colleagues to ensure that their countries are represented at the Expo in Belgrade in 2027, because we want it to be more than just a formality—we want it to have real substance. We want distant countries to be able to bring their issues, topics, and challenges to the attention of the European public. And I can say that we lobbied for the Expo. One of the phenomenal events I hosted, where President Aleksandar Vucic and Minister Jelena Begovic spoke last night, with many ministers and other officials in attendance, sent a new image of Serbia to the world."
Regarding the current tensions between the West and East, specifically between Russia and America, Djuric was asked about the visits of Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin to Russia and his meetings with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin. Djuric responded by noting that Serbia aims to maintain a balanced foreign policy, keeping open channels of communication with all members of the international community. However, he clarified that Serbia has a clear position on the war in Ukraine, supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity at the UN and in other forums, and remains firmly committed to international law on all issues.
"The problem is that not everyone applies the same standards when it comes to these issues. We are trying to convince our partners and interlocutors in the international community that Serbia's territorial integrity is no less valuable than the territorial integrity of any other country," Djuric concluded.
You met with the families of Israeli hostages. President Vucic met with the Israeli Prime Minister. What is Serbia's policy on the conflict in Gaza, and why was it abstained from the recent UN vote on the Gaza resolution?
Serbia deeply regrets the tragic loss of life during the conflict in the Middle East, and I can now say, ahead of the anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas, that we strongly condemned that terrorist act. At the same time, we are searching for one of our own citizens, Alan Ohel, who I have familial ties with, and we are demanding his release.
I believe it is extremely important that we call for the de-escalation of tensions. Serbia has supported both U.S. and EU initiatives regarding a ceasefire, not only in Gaza but across the broader Middle East. Let me remind you that Serbia is not just a bystander but actively contributes to stabilizing the region. We have nearly 200 of our soldiers, our sons and daughters, serving in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, contributing to the UN’s efforts to prevent the conflict from spiraling out of control and averting a tragedy and disaster in the Middle East.
In the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, there is an investigation into the business dealings of former President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his company "Affinity," which plans to invest in a luxury complex in Serbia’s former General Staff building. Senator Ron Wyden, who leads the investigation, mentioned that both Serbian and Albanian officials approached "Affinity" with business proposals. During your time as ambassador, were you aware of or involved in any contacts related to this project?
What I can say is that I do not interfere in the work of judicial bodies, either in Serbia or in the U.S., and I can also confirm that Serbia and the United States have signed agreements and a solid cooperation in the area of justice. Over the past twenty years, USAID has invested significantly in reforming the Serbian judiciary, so if any questions arise regarding this matter, all Serbian authorities will be available to the American authorities, and Serbia will always assist in any investigations.
Why doesn’t Serbia have an ambassador in Washington since your departure, and when will one be appointed? Are you waiting for the U.S. elections on November 5 to be completed?
Ambassador Vlada Maric, our experienced and excellent diplomat, who did a phenomenal job in India and was my deputy in Washington, is currently the chargé d'affaires at the embassy, meaning that Serbia has a representative at the ambassadorial level. In the not-too-distant future, very soon, we will appoint a new ambassador to Washington.
Why the wait?
The decision to appoint a representative to the most powerful and influential country in the Western world is highly significant, and we want to ensure it best contributes to the development of our relations, which have advanced considerably in recent years. Serbia will continue to be well represented in the coming period. It’s important for our viewers to know that Ambassador Maric, who is currently managing affairs, is a seasoned career diplomat, and the entire team in Washington continues to work until the appointment of an ambassador with a full mandate.
You met with representatives of African countries and spoke at the Non-Aligned Movement summit. These meetings seem to have been very intense. President Vucic even mentioned that Serbia would support greater African representation on the UN Security Council. Are you working to strengthen Serbia's position as a kind of buffer zone or neutral party in the current geopolitical climate?
I can say that I’ve discussed Africa with representatives from several European countries because it is well-known in European political circles that Serbia is respected as the successor, or one of the successors, of the former state that supported the fight against colonialism and the struggle for the independence of many of these countries. These connections we have in Africa are proving to be a comparative advantage for our economy and politically as well, and we will continue to strengthen ties with the African continent.
We aim to be a strong voice for Africa in Europe because today, we rightfully condemn the events in Ukraine and elsewhere, but no one speaks about Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of people are dying and where terrible massacres are also taking place. Yet this is absent from political discussions and sometimes even from the public discourse. Serbia wants to be one of the voices of Africa in Europe.
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