Djuric: The US administration suspended dialogue with Pristina also because of the position of Serbs in Kosovo

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko Djuric, emphasized that it is very important that the US administration suspended the strategic dialogue with Kosovo largely due to the position of Serbs in Kosovo.

In a statement for RTS from Washington, Djuric highlighted that one of the key topics of his talks in the United States is the position of Serbs in Kosovo.

"One of the key topics is Kosovo and Metohija, and it is important that the US administration suspended the strategic dialogue with Pristina largely because of the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. This is also the result of explaining the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija over a longer period of time," Djuric explained.

He stated that the topic of his meetings is also cooperation in the field of energy, that is, the situation regarding NIS.

"We will demand and seek support and understanding for the Serbian position, because, as they say, we have a very strong case not to be a victim of sanctions under the Biden administration," the Serbian foreign minister stressed.

Djuric conveyed that regional and economic developments are also among the topics.

"This is a time when the tectonic plates of world politics are shifting very quickly. It is important that Serbia is very present. I have no illusions that it will always be easy and simple, but we have a unique opportunity during President Trump’s tenure, as well as our administration led by President Vucic, which are politically closer than they were before," Djuric added.

He also emphasized that the strategic dialogue between the US and Serbia is a topic of the talks he is conducting in Washington.

When asked about the statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konakovic, that he would not apologize to the citizens of Serbia over the offensive chants by Bosnian fans at the basketball match between the Serbian and Bosnia and Herzegovina national teams in Sarajevo, Djuric said that he cannot believe that the minister of a multiethnic state, in which Serbs make up more than one third of the population and Republic of Srpska half of the state territory, allowed himself to support those who, in the worst possible way, insult Serbs as a whole, Serbia, and the president of Serbia, who was elected by the Serbian people.

"I had to replay the footage because I could not believe he allowed himself to make such a statement. We sent a protest note. About ten days ago, during a meeting with Kaja Kallas, Konakovic and I had a meeting, in which he committed himself to not doing such things," Djuric recalled.