Djuric: Serbia must accelerate reforms on its European path, we firmly protect national interests

Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Djuric, stated today that a pro-Serbian campaign has been underway in Brussels in recent days, highlighting the results achieved so far in implementing reforms, with the aim of ensuring that Serbia — as the central country in the region — does not fall behind surrounding states in the process of European integration.

The Serbian foreign minister also said that Serbia has its own national interests, which it protects very firmly in Brussels — both regarding Kosovo and Metohija, and regarding the position of the Serbian people in the region.

According to Djuric, Serbia must continue implementing reforms so that it does not lag behind other countries in the region that, as he noted, will undoubtedly in the coming years gain the right to participate in decision-making at the European table in Brussels.

“We are here in Brussels at the center of a genuinely pro-Serbian campaign that has been taking place these days at the headquarters of the European Union,” Djuric stated.

He recalled that the Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, Ana Brnabic, was in Brussels yesterday, and that today a delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is present.

“Our goal is to clearly present to the European public and to the highest officials of the European Union the reform steps that Serbia has taken in recent weeks and months, and the renewed energy with which we are approaching the process of European integration,” Djuric said.

He added that it is necessary for society as a whole to focus on something positive — something that will bring a tangible and stronger connection with the continent Serbia belongs to, and with the community of nations and states with which it carries out more than 62 percent of its economic exchange; including the region, that figure exceeds 77 percent.

“This is not just an opportunity for a pro-European narrative. It is an opportunity for concrete agreements on accelerating Serbia’s European integration. We want Serbia to seize this chance in Paris, in Berlin, and in many other capitals where today’s decision-makers — who support the EU’s enlargement and who want Serbia, as the central country of the Balkan Peninsula, to take its rightful place at the European table — are located,” he said.

Djuric emphasized that Serbia must accelerate reforms on its European path so as not to fall behind other countries in the region.

“To achieve this goal and to avoid falling behind other states in the region — which will undoubtedly, in the coming years, gain the right to decide at the European table in Brussels — we must further accelerate our reforms. And we have truly done so in recent weeks and months. We are here to present those results, and to seek support not only for what we have done in preparing to open Cluster 3, but also for our overall efforts to build the societal consensus in Serbia necessary for continuing European integration,” Djuric said.

He stressed that European integration is not the responsibility of one leader, one party, or one government — but of the entire society.

“In recent days we have been working intensively on how, despite the fact that Serbia is going through an extremely difficult and politically polarized year, we can still use this moment in a positive way and give new momentum to Serbia’s European integration. I repeat — this is extremely important also because we must not allow ourselves to fall behind countries in our immediate neighborhood that have made major advances in the previous period. None of us wants to wake up in a world where we have no say, while others do and make decisions about us,” Djuric underlined.

He noted that this is something Serbia cannot allow — economically, in terms of security, or politically.

“We have our national interests, which we defend very firmly here in Brussels — regarding Kosovo and Metohija, but also regarding the position of our people in the region. As for the attitude of key EU countries toward Serbia, I can say that we have made significant progress in recent years. President Macron, as well as the new German government — including Chancellor Merz and Mr. Wadephul, who was in Belgrade yesterday — have sent strong messages of support for Serbia’s European integration. I am very encouraged by Germany’s support,” Djuric said.

He added that Serbia is making significant strides toward Europe and that it should assume its rightful leadership position in advancing the European agenda in the region.

“Serbia has a truly European approach — an old nation, an old country that values itself, knows its identity, culture and civilization, seeks an equal place, has much to offer, and is ready to contribute. I believe it is very important that we work with EU member states to ensure that Cluster 3 is finally opened. For a process to gain momentum, you must see a tangible result,” he explained.

He added that opening the cluster would be a gain for both the government and the opposition, for pensioners and students, for every citizen of Serbia.

“That is the responsible approach we should take. For our part as a government, we will certainly do everything administratively and politically possible to open the clusters, and we will make additional efforts. A pro-Serbian campaign is underway in Brussels to give an additional impulse to Serbia’s positioning in Europe,” Djuric concluded.

The Serbian foreign minister will this evening participate in Brussels at an informal dinner for EU foreign ministers and Western Balkan partners, hosted by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.