Djuric in Munich: Demonstrating that Serbia is part of the solution, not the problem

On the first day of the Munich Security Conference, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric emphasized the importance of Serbia's presence at this "global diplomacy fair" to showcase that it is strong, free, economically developing, and committed to resolving regional issues in a positive, tolerant, and peaceful manner, as well as dedicated to protecting the position and interests of the Serbian people in the region as prescribed by international law and norms.

"Serbia's participation in the Munich Security Conference is an exceptionally significant opportunity for Serbia to affirm itself as a country that constructively contributes to both regional security and economic development, as a nation of open arms and open doors for cooperation, as part of the solution, not part of the problem as some attempt to portray. Participation is even more important as Albin Kurti, Vjosa Osmani, and many others who will try to cast Serbia in a negative light, roam the corridors of this conference venue. But we are here not only to respond but also to show that we view things from a much higher level than petty disputes and quarrels. That we are forward-looking, clearly speaking about the problems of the present, but desiring to overcome these problems in a civilized way," highlighted Djuric.

He reported that in Munich he had discussions with a range of officials – including the U.S. Senate delegation, the Assistant Secretary of State, the main American diplomat for Europe, and briefly with Richard Grenell.

"I also spoke with the new EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, Peter Sorensen. This conversation was an opportunity to particularly highlight what has been happening to our people in Kosovo and Metohija over the last two and a half years and to prepare his mandate, which is very significant for protecting our interests, as the manner in which he approaches this issue greatly affects the daily lives of our people," stated the head of Serbian diplomacy.

He mentioned that from interlocutors in the international community, he heard respect for Serbia's policy.

"That Serbia and President Aleksandar Vucic are recognized, accepted as a partner who contributes to normal relations in the region, I heard from many of the interlocutors with whom I had the opportunity to speak. That Serbia, as a candidate country for membership in the European Union and as a country that is competing to be among the top three European countries in economic growth this year, can count on the partnership of a large number of countries with whom we are discussing here," said Djuric.

He added that the delegation members included Minister for European Integration Tanja Miscevic, who speaks about what Serbia is implementing in terms of reforms in that segment, as well as the Commissioner for Equality Brankica Jankovic and the advisor to the prime minister Jadranka Joksimovic.

The delegation today also spoke with families of hostages taken by Hamas who are held captive in Gaza, among them Serbian citizen Alon Ohel.

"His mother participated with me in a number of meetings, where we helped the families of the hostages tell the horrific story about the conditions in which they are held and to bring this humanitarian issue to the light of the international public, and also to show that Serbia is one of the countries advocating for an end to the suffering of all those affected by this horrific conflict," said Minister Djuric.