Djuric: Serbia is fighting for its interests in Kosovo and Metohija and building new friendships

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric emphasized that Serbia would gain on multiple fronts by joining the EU, but also that it must protect its own interests regarding Kosovo and other relations in the international community.

Appearing on the Morning Program on Prva TV, Djuric stated that Serbia should join the EU as a full-fledged member.

“Our assessment of Serbia’s national interest is that we should join the European Union as an equal, accepted, and full member, with a seat and full voting rights, taking part in decision-making on the EU’s foreign and security policy, and participating in the distribution of the financial resources in Brussels, which is not insignificant. Just look, Bulgaria received more than 90 billion euros from the EU’s common budget. Serbia has also received billions in recent years, but ten times less than it would have if it were a full member. So we benefit on multiple fronts through this membership,” the minister said.

He added that it is also important for Serbia to protect its national interests.

“We have our specific interests that relate to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, and to some other relations within the international community, and we don’t want to be disadvantaged just because we may not be to the liking of some officials or bureaucrats in distant centers. Our responsibility is first and foremost to the citizens of Serbia. I believe it is in our interest to become EU members, and I hope we will. That requires will and energy on both sides,” he said.

As he added, Serbia is the only EU candidate country that holds an investment-grade credit rating and should therefore be the focus of the EU’s attention when it comes to enlargement.

“I believe Serbia is in a better position than some countries that are being patted on the back. Serbia is the only EU candidate country with an investment-grade rating. In terms of GDP strength, economy, infrastructure quality, and education levels, we are ahead of many who are currently seen as frontrunners in the accession process. Not to mention the fact that Serbia accounts for over 50 percent of the regional GDP and has the strongest military in the region. So by all criteria, Serbia should be at the center of the enlargement process,” Djuric said.

Reminding that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is participating today in the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa, Djuric noted that all such steps are part of Serbia’s efforts to improve its position in the European political landscape.

“To open new doors for Serbia, to secure an influx of new investments, and to ensure that Serbia’s interests, including on the topic of Kosovo and Metohija, are better heard and respected. Not everything depends on us,” Djuric stated.

He said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which he heads, is continuing its intensive bilateral agenda.

“By the end of this week, we expect visitors from an important regional country. On Monday, I will be making a bilateral visit to Switzerland. It will be a two-day visit, covering political, economic, and cultural aspects. It is important for us to continue developing and improving relations with Switzerland, a country that has long-standing neutrality and significant economic potential. From there, I will head to a European summit organized by our Italian friends and my colleague Mr. Tajani in Taormina. This will be a great opportunity for a number of bilateral meetings with EU officials and representatives of the European Union as an organization,” Djuric emphasized.

He added that Serbia will then participate in the Summit of the Organization of American States.

“The Organization of American States is an extremely important forum that brings together countries from Latin America, Central and North America, essentially all the nations of that region, including the Caribbean, where we also have many votes and friends. I will go there to hold talks with dozens of ministers,” Djuric said.

According to him, Serbia is not wasting time but is actively fighting for its interests in Kosovo and building new friendships.

“We may not be the biggest country in Europe, but we are certainly one that, through the joint efforts led by our President, managed last year to stop the plan against us in the UN General Assembly. Then, when it comes to the Council of Europe, we thwarted Pristina’s attempts to gain membership twice. Serbia is a country with many ambitions, but ambitions backed by substance,” Djuric concluded.

Regarding the Expo exhibition, Djuric believes it also has a regional dimension. He emphasized the importance of good regional relations and continuing to deepen ties with neighboring countries while advocating for the rights of Serbs.

“I will continue, and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue, to work on deepening political, economic, cultural, and other ties with regional countries. Don’t forget, the Serbian people number in the millions beyond Serbia in this region. That means we have a legitimate interest in constantly raising the issue of their rights across various sectors in these countries. But we do not believe, as some accuse us, that by working with our people in the region, we are trying to influence the policies of other countries or, God forbid, as some claim, create instability. That is a very dangerous and very common propaganda narrative against our country,” Djuric said.