Djuric: Deepened relations between Serbia and Pacific countries that support us on the Kosovo issue

Serbia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Djuric, stated that as a result of Serbia's participation in the Pacific Islands Summit in Tonga, relations had been deepened with numerous countries that supported Belgrade not only on the issue of Kosovo but also regarding United Nations resolutions.

"I can't even count the number of presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and the royal couple of Tonga who attended the Serbian Gala dinner here in the capital of Tonga, Nukuʻalofa. All the leaders of the Pacific countries were present, and we were able to present Serbia in the best possible way and strengthen our relations with a large number of leaders from 16 Pacific countries, as well as invite these people to participate in EXPO and use Serbia as one of the key avenues for cooperation with Europe," Djuric emphasized.

The Minister added that many of Serbia's partners from Europe, along with their delegations, had attended the dinner he had hosted.

"They couldn't believe how Serbia managed to pull off something like this in the heart of the Pacific. I am truly very proud of the entire team, our Belgrade, our Serbia, and EXPO, as well as the President and the Government who had the vision to nominate Belgrade for an event that has given Serbia such a significant position and opportunity in the international community, and we tried to make the most of this opportunity here," the head of Serbian diplomacy said.

Djuric highlighted that, as a result of this visit to the Pacific Islands Summit, Serbia's relations with several Pacific countries had been significantly deepened.

"I see this also in a formal-legal sense, in the establishment of diplomatic relations, the deepening of the legal framework, visa waiver agreements, agreements on economic, trade, and cultural cooperation, all as a result of this participation in the Summit in Nukuʻalofa, the capital of Tonga. In the coming days, we will have numerous meetings with representatives of these countries that have always supported us on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as on various United Nations resolutions. They are our sincere friends, and this bond has now been deepened and cemented. I have no regrets about the three-and-a-half-day journey it took to get here. Serbia is a country that views the entire world as its friend, and that is our comparative advantage. This policy of extending a hand to attract friends from all over the world is not only our contribution to Serbia but also to Europe and our region," Djuric concluded.

On the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, held in the Kingdom of Tonga, Serbia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Djuric, hosted a dinner for the participants and guests of the event, during which he presented Belgrade's preparations for the specialized EXPO 2027 exhibition.