Djuric with Lipavsky: The Serbian people in Kosovo are facing enormous pressures

Serbia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Djuric, met today with the Czech Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavsky, thanking him for the Czech Republic’s support for Serbia’s European integration process and conveying that the Serbian people in Kosovo are facing enormous pressures.

In his speech, Djuric stated that it was a great honor to host the delegation led by the Czech Foreign Minister and colleagues from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs today in Belgrade.

"For Serbia, the relationship with the Czech Republic is one of the key partnerships with EU member states. The Czech Republic and Serbia share a centuries-old friendship and cooperation that has stood the test of time. In our generation, Serbia's accelerated economic development significantly enhances opportunities for better economic cooperation between Czech and Serbian companies. Our trade exchange is growing alongside Serbia’s economic growth and development. The investment rating our country received a few days ago will give new momentum to economic exchange between our two countries. Our countries also cooperate on broader international relations," Djuric said.

He added that the partnership with the Czech Republic is based on European values.

"Our country is on the European path, and we are grateful to the Czech Republic for supporting the process of European integration for Balkan countries, including its continuous support for Serbia’s European integration. I want to convey that Serbia will complete the entire process of internal structural reforms needed for EU membership by 2027, and we are confident that the Serbian people and the Serbian state can make a qualitative contribution to the European project. That is why, once again, in the discussions we have had, we emphasized our gratitude for the support for the European integration process," the minister emphasized.

Djuric informed Lipavsky about Serbia’s efforts to establish new political relations in the region, based on respect, cooperation, trust, and friendship for the future. He said he had also discussed the situation in Kosovo with his guest.

"I am convinced that we share the interest of seeing Southeast Europe become a region of success and dynamic development. Therefore, support in overcoming unresolved regional issues from the past is important to us. We have discussed and will continue to discuss today with our Czech friends and guests the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, where the Serbian people are facing very serious pressures, and the consequences of unilateral and uncoordinated actions by Kurti’s regime. Serbia is committed to respecting the results of the Brussels dialogue and upholding the highest levels of collective, political, and human rights standards. Friendly European countries, including the Czech Republic, can count on Serbia as a reliable partner in maintaining peace and stability. At the same time, we are also grateful to the Czech Republic for its contribution to the international peace approach in Kosovo and Metohija," Djuric said.

The minister emphasized that he is very pleased that the Czech community in Serbia has been an organic part of society for centuries.

"The Czechs in Serbia have historically contributed greatly to culture, science, and the arts. They are woven into the fabric of this city where we are gathered. I am pleased that the Czech House in Belgrade, which was handed over to the Czech community in Serbia on the initiative of President Vucic, is functioning well. I am convinced that in the coming period, this Czech House will become one of the main centers, not only for the cultural and spiritual life of the Czech community but also a great place for fostering Czech-Serbian relations. The key word in our relationship is the future. I am confident that the Czech-Serbian relationship has a great future, politically and in every other sense," the Serbian Foreign Minister concluded.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky noted that relations between Serbia and the Czech Republic are intense.

"Dear Marko, I am very pleased to meet with you again, shortly after your visit to Prague in July, which highlights the intensity of the relationship between the Czech Republic and Serbia. This warm reception underlines the fact that I was able to meet today with both the Prime Minister and the President. The meetings were very open and friendly, reflecting our mutual relations," Lipavsky said.

He congratulated Serbia on its improved economic rating, emphasizing that the Czech Republic is among Serbia’s top ten business partners and one of its most significant investors.

"Last year, mutual trade amounted to more than two billion euros, which is excellent news, and I believe these numbers can improve in the coming years. There are real opportunities for increasing trade and economic cooperation. These opportunities are especially present in the fields of transportation infrastructure, environmental protection, tourism, and other areas. I would like to thank Serbia and Minister Djuric for the excellent approach to the reconstruction of the Czech House in Belgrade. We will establish a Czech center – a cultural institute – there, which will promote Czech culture and strengthen Czech-Serbian cultural relations. It will be opened by our Prime Minister, who will soon visit Serbia," Lipavsky emphasized.

He added that during the meeting, they had also discussed EU enlargement, which, as he said, is a priority for the Czech Republic.

"For candidate countries, this is very important in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, so it is crucial to make progress in this process. The Czech Republic supports the Serbian government in making strides in accession negotiations, which is a challenging and complicated task that requires harmonization with the EU. It is essential that this process functions as a whole, and it is impossible to bypass sensitive issues such as the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. The Czech Republic supports this process led by the High Representative and the Vice President of the European Commission, together with the representative for the dialogue. I believe they will succeed in normalizing relations between Serbia and Kosovo, improving conditions for citizens, and ensuring stability and security in the region," Lipavsky concluded.