Djuric and Grlic Radman: Relations with neighbours extremely important for Serbia

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated today during talks with Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic Radman that relations with Croatia, as well as with all neighbouring countries, are of great importance to Serbia, which is interested in further improving them through open and substantive dialogue.

Djuric and Grlic Radman, who met today in Subotica, discussed bilateral relations, developments in the Western Balkans, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

Djuric pointed out that some outstanding issues are serious and complex, but that by taking into account shared needs and interests, there is room for a constructive approach and for finding mutually acceptable solutions, according to a statement issued by the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The minister added that it is necessary to avoid the politicisation of outstanding issues and instead focus on achieving concrete results through institutional and bilateral mechanisms, including the revitalisation of the work of certain commissions responsible for addressing unresolved matters.

The interlocutors also discussed the need to hold a new meeting of the national coordinators for outstanding issues. Djuric described as an important and positive step the meeting of national coordinators held in October 2024, during which both sides presented their positions and considered proposals for further steps aimed at bringing views closer together and improving the work of the joint commissions.

Speaking about European integration, the Serbian foreign minister reiterated that membership in the European Union remains Serbia’s strategic objective, stressing that the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU as soon as possible would provide a strong boost to the prosperity and stability of both the region and Europe as a whole.

He emphasised that the European perspective of the region serves as an important incentive for strengthening cooperation and overcoming outstanding issues.

The two ministers also discussed the position of national minorities. Djuric stated that it is the shared responsibility of both countries to continuously work on improving the status of members of national minorities, as their rights and well-being represent an important bridge of cooperation and connection between the two countries.