Djuric: Serb List is key for Serbs' struggle in Kosovo, unity is essential

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated that the upcoming elections in Kosovo represent a referendum on national unity, emphasizing the necessity for the Serbian people to remain united, as Albin Kurti is "eagerly waiting" for an opportunity to push through his loyal Serbs, who he could manipulate. He pointed out that the Serb List is an important tool in the fight for Serbs in Kosovo.

"Political life in Kosovo does not function under normal circumstances, which is why we must have complete, action-oriented unity. Regardless of the space for political debate and disagreement that exists in Serbia, in Kosovo and Metohija, where so few of us remain, it is vital to speak with one voice to foreigners and to Pristina and to remain united. This is why the Serb List is crucial," Djuric told Informer TV.

He explained that, technically, under the Kosovo Constitution, the party that wins those 10 seats appoints the officials representing the Serbian community.

"Albin Kurti is eagerly waiting for an opportunity to push through his own Serbs, loyal to the false state of Kosovo, so that he can manipulate them and claim that even Serbs support an independent Kosovo, that he is an excellent leader for them, that the Kosovo army should be formed, and that the Serbian Orthodox Church should be stripped of its guardianship over the monasteries. He will stop at nothing unless we respond with unity," the minister said.

He added that these are not "ordinary" elections but a referendum on national unity.

"Therefore, I call on Serbs to stand united, and the Serbian state will continue its firm material support," Djuric said.

Kurti is a Serbian Citizen, He Can Run in Elections

Djuric praised the courage and bravery of the Serbian people who preserve the centuries-long existence of the Serbian state in Kosovo but also noted that he has no issue with Albin Kurti meddling in Serbia's internal affairs, considering him a Serbian citizen who, as such, has the right to run for any position in the state.

"Much has worsened in the past four years since Kurti's regime came to power. Serbs are in an increasingly worse position daily, more disenfranchised, with no principles or rules. The world, preoccupied with other problems and silently supporting Kosovo's independence, turns a blind eye to this situation. I admire the courage and bravery of our people who preserve not only their family estates but also the centuries-long existence of the Serbian state in Kosovo and Metohija," Djuric said.

He pointed out that Serbian taxpayers should know that they are funding the survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo.

"We are doing this with a bigger budget than ever before. We provide funds directly to citizens through Kosovo allowances and new benefits introduced by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and the Government to support families. More than ever, the Serbian state allocates funds for the survival of Serbs in Kosovo," Djuric said.

He emphasized that Serbia, unlike 12-13 years ago when the state had to borrow money from countries recognizing Kosovo to pay salaries and pensions, is now miles away from such financial struggles.

"When Serbia positions itself as a country no longer seen as part of minor problems but as part of the solution for global issues, when great powers mention it as a meeting place for resolving global problems, it puts us in a better position regarding Kosovo and Metohija as well," Djuric explained.

On Kurti's Support for Protests in Serbia

When asked about Kurti's support for protests in Serbia, Djuric said he was not particularly surprised, as Kurti spends significant energy daily looking for ways to provoke, harm, and disenfranchise Serbia.

"He does this partly out of personal conviction and, of course, because it garners support from a portion of his voter base. The fact that he found it appropriate to comment on our internal political developments speaks volumes. I consider him our citizen, even though he doesn't see it that way, and I believe he has the right to do so, unlike foreigners who should not interfere. Kurti has the right to run for any position in Serbia. If he called on his voters, he could enter the parliament," he explained.

Djuric stated that, despite calling for the creation of a civic society, Kurti aims to establish a mono-ethnic society.

"If he claims not to be an ethno-nationalist, why didn't he participate in Serbia's political life after 2000, when Milosevic's government fell, and the country completely opened up? I don't want to use this topic to attack our opposition. The fact that Kurti supported them, and I don't mean students but opposition leaders, says a lot," the minister concluded.

On the Canal Attack: A Vicious Trick by Pristina, We Won’t Give Kurti Peace Until We Get Answers

Regarding the explosion on the Ibar-Lepenac canal, Minister Marko Djuric called it a "vicious trick" by Pristina, adding that Albin Kurti immediately "hysterically" accused Belgrade of the incident and demanded the deployment of what he called the "illegal Kosovo army" in the north.

"This clearly shows he had a pre-prepared scenario," the minister stated.

Djuric emphasized that Belgrade will not stop asking questions—who carried out the attack on the canal, where is the evidence for the false accusations against Serbia, and what are the results of the international investigation.

He questioned why Serbia would destroy a canal it built and which supplies water and even electricity to citizens.

Pointing out that accusing Serbia was a monstrous lie, he said:
"We won’t stop until we find out who is behind the attack—not just who the perpetrator is but who ordered it. And I suspect the answer is better known in Pristina than in Belgrade or anywhere else. We won’t give Albin Kurti and his regime any peace. We’ll insist on it every single day. He will have no peace until he reveals who in his regime or any other system knows how this happened," Djuric declared.

Confident Cluster 3 Will Open Soon: Expecting Good News from Brussels

Djuric expressed confidence that Cluster 3 in Serbia’s EU accession negotiations would be opened "in the near future."

"I expect good news from Brussels. We are advancing our society not to get pats on the back from anyone globally but to create a better, fairer society for our citizens, economically more developed, as we have been doing for over a decade," said Djuric.

He noted that Serbia today is incomparably more prepared for EU membership than some countries were 15 years ago when they joined.

He stated that the decision on Serbia’s membership will be a geopolitical one, made by Brussels and EU member states.

"Do they want a unified, strengthened, consolidated Europe? Because we don’t come to the table only with a request to be equals; we bring seven million capable people. We are not going to Brussels to beg for anything," Djuric emphasized.

He added that if the European Commission has assessed Serbia as ready to move forward in EU integration three years in a row, "the time has come" to open Cluster 3.

Djuric explained that Serbia has been working intensively for three months to gain support from all member states for the idea of Serbia moving closer to having an equal place at the table.

"It is at that table where decisions about us are made. We can either be at the table or allow decisions to be made about us without our participation," Djuric said, reminding that the EU is Serbia’s main trade partner and that Serbia’s security, as well as the protection of Serbian rights in the region, especially in Kosovo where EULEX is present, depends on the EU.

"It’s a complex environment, and we must not leave the field to rivals, extreme politicians among Albanians, or anyone else," he added.

Djuric said Serbia has worked intensively to change the minds of countries opposing the opening of the Cluster.

"We’ve largely succeeded, and we’ve worked to gain agreement for progress in European integration. This strengthens our position on issues important to us, including Kosovo and Metohija and others," Djuric said.

The Serbian Foreign Minister also stated that Serbia has managed to profile itself as an autonomous yet reliable actor in geopolitical dynamics, adhering to the UN Charter and principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty of internationally recognized states.

"The tragedy in Ukraine is enormous. We are sending significant humanitarian aid there," Djuric added.

Trump’s Administration as a Turning Point

Djuric noted that the appointment of Richard Grenell as a special envoy, as well as the establishment of a new function for him, suggests that Donald Trump’s administration will be more engaged in resolving global issues.

"Trump’s return is a tectonic shift. How it will impact us, we will learn in the coming months," Djuric added.

He stressed that Trump will have Serbia’s support in his mission to stabilize the global situation.

"Ending the war in Ukraine would revive the European economy, including ours. It is in our interest to resolve the crisis in the Middle East. We have one Serbian citizen being held hostage, and on the other hand, we have our diaspora. It is in our interest that Trump succeeds in stabilizing the global situation. He will have our support in efforts to stabilize global circumstances," Minister Djuric concluded.