Djuric: Washington Agreement undermined only by Albin Kurti

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated that the Washington Agreement, since its signing four years ago, has only been undermining Albin Kurti's regime. For this reason, he does not believe Kurti will be ready to constructively engage in implementing the agreement.

"The Washington Agreement has only ever undermined Albin Kurti's regime. As far as we are concerned, agreements on economic development, improving transportation links, and creating opportunities for youth—which were the core focuses of the agreement—enjoy our support. However, I honestly do not believe Kurti will approach this constructively," Djuric said in an interview with RTV when asked if the Washington Agreement could be revived following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. elections.

The minister noted that illusions should not be harbored, as there is a significant consensus in the United States regarding Kosovo's status, fundamentally different from Serbia's position.

"I am grateful to Donald Trump's administration and Richard Grenell for their willingness to hear and consider Serbian interests. Our hope is that they will remain willing to listen to the Serbian side now," Djuric stated.

He emphasized that Serbian interests in Kosovo are "multi-layered and far-reaching," including every Serbian school, house, monastery, the University of Kosovska Mitrovica, and every citizen—be they Serbian, Gorani, Bosniak, or Roma—who feels part of Serbia, as well as economic interests and mineral resources. According to him, all these topics must be discussed.

When asked if the partition of Kosovo could come onto the agenda after Trump's return, Djuric responded that "there are currently no discussions of any kind."

"I believe the implementation of the agreement guaranteeing the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) and minimum collective political, economic, and other human rights would be a minimal starting point for further talks on normalizing relations. Justice and international law are on our side," Djuric said.

Regarding whether the formation of the CSM obliges Serbia not to oppose Kosovo's membership in the United Nations, Djuric said this is unacceptable for Serbia and that the country's position on this issue is clear.

When asked if Serbia will relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the minister reminded that the Washington Agreement was concluded before Israel recognized Kosovo.

"If you look at the text of the agreement, the provision on Israel's recognition of Kosovo was removed. The Serbian side did not accept that provision. By recognizing Kosovo, Israel has effectively accepted that this provision related to relocation..." Djuric stated, adding that Serbia had significantly improved relations with Israel in recent years and should not allow itself to cede ground to Pristina anywhere.

The minister also clarified that it is incorrect to claim Serbia did not join the initiative condemning Israel's decision to declare UN Secretary-General António Guterres persona non grata. He noted that Serbia had joined the letter on October 11.

"We time our decisions on international matters based on national interests. We independently decide the message we want to send to the Israeli government—a friendly one—and to the international community—that we support the work of the UN Secretary-General. Serbia pursues a balanced foreign policy not to please anyone but to protect Serbian interests," Djuric said.

Regarding Trump's victory in the U.S. elections, Serbia's chief diplomat expressed hope for better communication and dialogue with the United States in the future.

"The fact that the Serbian President communicated with the U.S. President-elect within days of the election, among the first world leaders, is a positive signal, and the content of that communication gives reason for cautious optimism," Djuric said.

Recalling that the last U.S. president to visit Belgrade was Jimmy Carter in October 1980, Djuric stated that Vucic invited Trump to visit Serbia as the U.S. President.

"I am confident that Trump would be welcomed in Serbia better than in any other European country," the minister concluded.

When asked about the impact of this on Serbia's EU agenda, he explained that European integration is of utmost importance to Serbia, as are strong, high-quality relations with the U.S., given that America has been one of the political sponsors of European unification for over half a century and that its opinion resonates "from the Baltics to Portugal."

He added that, considering Serbia was bombed 25 years ago during Bill Clinton's presidency, Serbian support for Trump is not ideological. Instead, many Serbs, both conservative and liberal, supported him for national reasons.

"There is a significant appetite to build better relations with the U.S., and we have been working hard on this, regardless of whether it is politically popular, because Serbia's state interest is to secure a favorable position within the American political establishment. This is delicate work requiring engagement both at home and on the ground in the U.S.," Djuric said, adding that he had worked intensively in the U.S. to strengthen relations with the Republican establishment, noting that Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, close to the new U.S. Ambassador to the UN, chairs the Serbian Caucus.