Djuric with Sorensen on the current situation in Kosovo

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric met today with the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade–Pristina Dialogue Peter Sorensen to discuss the current situation in Kosovo, expressing full support for his role and mission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

According to the statement, in reference to a series of escalatory measures recently taken by the Pristina authorities that aimed to further complicate the position of Serbs, Minister Djuric emphasized the need for continued presence of international organizations and missions in Kosovo, as well as their greater engagement to improve overall security, ensure full respect for all freedoms and rights, and prepare the upcoming elections under democratic and fair conditions.

“Highlighting the necessity for the international community, especially the EU, to exert stronger influence on the authorities in Pristina to prevent further unilateral and provocative actions against Serbs and representatives of their political organizations, Djuric noted that in recent weeks there have been repeated bans on entry for individual Serbs whose families live in Kosovo and Metohija,” the statement reads.

It adds that Djuric stressed the ongoing usurpation of private property, attempts to evict entire Serbian families from apartments and houses, and that perpetrators of attacks on property belonging to representatives of Serbian political organizations have not been identified. He noted that Pristina authorities are attempting to create new tension points in Kosovska Mitrovica through the construction of a new bridge, under the guise of alleged infrastructure development.

“Minister Djuric emphasized that Belgrade encourages and expects participation of as many Serbs as possible in the upcoming elections in Kosovo and Metohija, and that he believes this will pave the way for their return, in adequate numbers and in an appropriate manner, to all institutions and levels of government. It was mutually assessed that, in addition to the need to de-escalate the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, dialogue, open and substantive talks, and the implementation of agreed-upon arrangements represent the best path to resolve outstanding issues and normalize living conditions for all citizens in Kosovo and Metohija,” the statement reads.

It was also expressed that a meeting of the heads of the Belgrade and Pristina negotiating teams will be organized again in Brussels in the near future.