Djuric: Serbia is committed to eradicating terrorism, actively cooperating with partners

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated today in Washington, where he participated in the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, that Serbia is fully committed to eradicating terrorism and is cooperating with all international partners to combat this threat.

"With this participation, Serbia once again underscores the importance of the fight against global terrorism. Serbia is fully committed to eradicating terrorism, which represents a serious threat in the times we live in, and is actively cooperating with international partners through intelligence, security, military, and police channels to combat global terrorism as a threat," Djuric said.

He pointed out that for Serbia, terrorism is not an abstract or distant issue, but something that has unfortunately been present in the region for decades.

"From our country’s territory, specifically from our southern province, a large number of terrorists have left to join ISIS, and all of this is an additional reason for us to cooperate with international partners in the fight against this global problem," Djuric emphasized.

He added that today's meeting represents yet another step forward in the joint international efforts to confront the threat of terrorism.

Djuric, who had several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the event, reported that he also spoke with the new Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, with whom it was agreed to strengthen contacts between the two institutions.

He added that Serbia and the Netherlands have a long history of relations, noting that a large number of Dutch companies operate in Serbia, employing around 15,000 workers and significantly contributing to the Serbian economy.

"I am confident that in the coming period, we can significantly improve relations with the Netherlands. I presented the economic and development opportunities and potentials of Serbia. We also discussed the political and security situation in our region. I believe that cooperation with the Netherlands can bring us a lot," Djuric said.

He added that the Netherlands' support for Serbia's European path is extremely important for the country.

"Serbia is a country that takes reforms very seriously and implements them for its own benefit. We are not coming to the European table with an outstretched hand, but as a country that is developing steadily, strongly, and rapidly, and that can play a very significant role in the broader region, with a healthy economy and people who are knowledge-oriented in science, hardworking, and dedicated to the future," Minister Djuric added.