Djuric: In Central and Latin America we have a base of countries that support our territorial integrity

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated today in Panama, where he is participating in the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), that Serbia has a base of countries in Central and Latin America that support its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"It is excellent for Serbia to be represented here and to position itself as one of the countries that seeks to serve as a bridge between Europe and Central and Latin America. Our presence here is not a one-time act; we have been coming here for years," Djuric told reporters.

He said that he had held productive discussions with ministers from the Central and Latin American region, as well as with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States.

"I do not need to emphasize how important it is that we have a base of countries here that support us when it comes to our territorial integrity and sovereignty. This is something that requires continuous work. We should not assume that everything can be taken for granted and expect that, if we do not communicate and cooperate with these countries, we will always be able to count on their support. Only by continuing to work and by strengthening our ties through shared interests, politics, and every other form of cooperation can we rely on a broad base of support here," Djuric explained.

He expressed confidence that cooperation between Europe and the countries of Central and Latin America would in the future become one of the main drivers of overall economic, technological, and broader development on both sides of the Atlantic, and that it is important for Serbia, as a small country, to be a pioneer in fostering those connections.

He added that, after a series of meetings, his impression was that the atmosphere at the gathering was far better, friendlier, and calmer than what is often experienced at regional or European meetings, which, he said, should in some way be a cause for concern.

According to Djuric, the atmosphere at meetings and gatherings at both the European and regional levels is more difficult and less future-oriented than that at the Organization of American States summit in Panama.

He noted that Expo 2027 had also been among the important topics of his discussions and that new confirmations of participation in the World Expo to be held in Belgrade next year are expected.

He also announced the signing of two important agreements between Serbia and Panama.
Responding to journalists' questions, Djuric said that it is highly appreciated when a European minister makes the effort to attend and demonstrate respect for the organization.

According to him, apart from his Slovak counterpart, no other European foreign minister is attending the gathering, making the participation of European ministers more of an exception than the rule.

"This is my third participation as Serbia's foreign minister. Here, it is greatly appreciated when a European minister makes the effort to attend and show respect for this organization. The effort invested today in building a treaty framework with the member states of this organization, particularly for economic cooperation, pays off many times over in the years to come. I want Serbia to seize the opportunity that exists here. Let us not forget that, in today's world, which is practically engulfed by wars and upheavals, Latin and Central America continue to maintain steady economic growth and peace, with relatively few incidents, while their scientific and overall social potential make them one of the regions offering hope for the future of humanity," Djuric said.

He added that the principled and consistent independent foreign policy defined by the Serbian

Government and the President is highly valued in Latin and Central America and is perceived as an opportunity for this part of the world to strengthen its ties with Europe.