Djuric meets with U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires on the situation of Serbs in Kosovo

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko Djuric, met today with the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Alexander Titolo, and on that occasion emphasized that the already extremely difficult situation of the Serbian people in Kosovo has been further aggravated daily by the actions of the authorities in Pristina, particularly through the restrictions on the free movement of people and goods at the administrative crossings.

Djuric and Titolo discussed the initiation of a strategic dialogue as a key mechanism for enhancing bilateral cooperation over the long term.

The Minister underlined Serbia’s readiness to intensify the frequency of meetings with officials of the current U.S. administration in the coming period, confirming that the establishment of new forms of cooperation in areas of mutual interest will continue to be among the priorities of the new Government led by Prime Minister Djuro Macut.

"An excellent example of the ongoing mutual commitment to the further development of relations," the Minister noted, "is our strategic partnership in the field of energy, crowned by the agreement signed in Washington last September. The record levels achieved in the exchange of goods and services with the United States, particularly ICT services, which last year accounted for nearly two-thirds of Serbia’s total service exports to America, represent, in the Minister’s view, an additional incentive to continue achieving outstanding results in the area of bilateral economic cooperation," the Ministry’s statement reads.

Djuric reiterated Serbia’s gratitude for the understanding demonstrated by the American side regarding the situation of the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), as well as for the recent postponement of the full implementation of sanctions against this company.

Speaking about the situation in Kosovo, Djuric expressed concern that the already extremely unfavorable position of the Serbian people in the province has been further worsened on a daily basis by the malicious actions of the authorities in Pristina, particularly due to the ban on the free movement of people and goods at the administrative crossings.