Djuric: Pristina is trying to remove the bulwark of security and defense for Serbs

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated that Pristina, by attempting to open the bridge on the Ibar River outside the dialogue and against the advice of major powers, was trying to remove a symbolic and real bulwark of security and defense for Serbs.

In an interview with TV Pink, Djuric reiterated that every Serbian embassy and consulate would also serve as an Office for Kosovo and Metohija in the fight to preserve the collective and human rights of Serbs.

“With steps like the announcement to take control of North Mitrovica outside the Brussels dialogue and against the will of the major powers that supported the so-called independence of Kosovo, and much worse, against the vital interests of the Serbian community, this is not just about opening any bridge. To be clear, in North Kosovska Mitrovica, there are four other bridges that connect the northern and southern parts of the city. This is about removing a symbolic and real bulwark of security and defense for Serbs,” Djuric pointed out.

As he emphasized, Serbian diplomacy is continuously engaged across all continents to explain the difficult position of the Serbian people and to gain allies and friends in regions where Serbia traditionally has not had support regarding Kosovo.

He added that Serbia expects KFOR and the Quint countries to protect the Serbian people.

“I will have meetings today with ambassadors from some of the Quint countries, and we are working on this very seriously,” Djuric stated.

He thanked all Serbian diplomats, noting that they do not only enjoy privileges but are truly fighting for their country.

“Just as soldiers and police officers prepare their entire lives to fulfill their duties, Serbian diplomats are on duty every day. Let’s remember that in 2016, two Serbian diplomats gave their lives serving Serbia in a mission in Libya, and a few decades ago, one of our ambassadors was killed in Stockholm. Despite all threats, we will continue our work,” the minister emphasized.

Speaking about the threats received by Serbian embassies, Djuric said there had been no new threats, adding that Serbia took these messages very seriously.

“We take these threats very seriously. Behind them is a very complex political background, and there is the fact that for several years now, from the highest positions in our southern province, rhetoric, narrative, and behavior of an extreme character have been promoted and affirmed. It is no surprise that certain irredentist circles in the diaspora have decided to take such extreme steps,” Djuric said.

Those who are attacking, he added, want to induce changes in Serbia's foreign policy course and to deter those who act on behalf of Serbia from advocating for Serbian interests, especially concerning Kosovo.

However, Djuric sends a message to those attempting to achieve such goals that Serbian diplomacy will not only refuse to back down but will also intensify its activities, particularly in the centers that have been targets of attacks and threats.

When asked whether it is known who sent the threatening emails to Serbian embassies, Djuric emphasized that the police in the countries where the threats had been made had determined the origins of the threatening messages.

“Individuals have been identified, and one is already publicly known. A thorough and extensive investigation into the political background of this type of threat needs to be conducted. Threats against embassies and individuals representing Serbia's international position naturally have a political context,” Djuric concluded.