Djuric: We cannot afford divisions in Kosovo, Serbs under great pressure

Today, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric urged Serbs in Kosovo to be strong and united this Sunday, February 9, to support the Serb List at the polls, emphasizing that the Serbian people in Kosovo cannot afford to be divided into parties, as they are fighting against discrimination comparable to apartheid.

"I call on Serbs to support the Serb List, and I say this openly because I am rooting for Serbs to secure all 10 parliamentary mandates united around one party, the Serb List, which gathers the largest number of our citizens in Kosovo and Metohija, regardless of ideological beliefs. We cannot afford to divide into parties in Kosovo and Metohija, just like in South Africa during apartheid, when the African National Congress fought against discrimination of black Africans by the then authorities," Djuric told Euronews Serbia.

He pointed out that Serbs in Kosovo today face a situation comparable to that kind of discrimination.

"They are exposed to massive pressure and persecution, denied basic human and democratic rights, subjected to extrajudicial arrests, and we see an abnormal situation where municipalities with a Serbian majority are governed by Albanians, and they are underrepresented in the police force...," Djuric listed.

All this, he insists, must change.

"Let's not get into arguments about who is to blame; the only way forward is to go out and vote for the Serb List," the minister was clear.

Asked whether he expects progress in the dialogue, especially considering changes in the US and EU, Djuric noted:

"Kurti will always be Kurti, and we cannot expect anything particularly positive from him."

He stressed, however, that Kurti's actions can only be curbed by a vigorous and effective approach from the new European administration, which has the primary responsibility for the dialogue.

He pointed out that the new EU Special Envoy for Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, has an important task to work on strong and strict examples of agreements and on the Community of Serb Municipalities, protecting Serbian cultural heritage.

Djuric noted that it is shameful that the Serbian Patriarch Porfirije has been denied entry to Kosovo for months.

"Even the monastic and clergy are exposed to pressures, not to mention the citizens... Dozens of institutions have been shut down as part of an unprincipled, inhumane, and bad campaign that Kurti has been conducting to boost his ratings by trampling on the rights of Serbs. But, Serbs are resilient and stronger; they will wait and see better times. It is also important that Serbia has never directly and more generously supported, based on a better economy, the Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija," Djuric said.

Commenting on the praise from a close associate of US President Donald Trump, Rod Blagojevich, who was recently in Serbia, Djuric said that it is a huge resource that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has built a personal relationship with Trump, being one of the first world leaders to speak with him in the early days of his new term, and that the country has a strong foothold in the Serbian community in the US, including people like Rod Blagojevich.

He added that Blagojevich is a man of vast political experience and represents a resource for Serbian-American relations in the current political moment, especially since he is ready to work and engage within the Serbian community, in the relations between Serbia and America.

"And he sincerely does this, and I am glad he came to Serbia. Just as I am glad when Grenell says something positive about the region. I am not one of those who rejoice when someone says something detrimental to Serbia's interests, even if it harms political opponents. I think it is good for the country that we have good contacts," Djuric said.

Asked about the perspective of foreign officials on Serbia, given the protests in the country, Djuric said that Serbia, despite the protests, has a fantastic story to present to the international community.

"We are among the fastest-growing countries; we can be the fastest-growing in Europe if we do not destroy ourselves with internal strife. After changes in the US and some major European countries, the economy is an absolute imperative for everyone. Serbia has something to offer and present," Djuric said.

He emphasized that Serbia needs the understanding of the international community regarding Kosovo, about the rights and position of Serbs in Kosovo.

"That's why I cannot stop my activities; I try to open as many doors as possible in the international community," Djuric added.

In this sense, he mentioned the important appeal of Richard Grenell, who publicly called on those in Serbia who express opinions different from the government's to refrain from steps that would be violent. That message, he says, was followed by calls from other international officials, as stability in Serbia is important for everyone living here.

Djuric said that dialogue is key after everyone has expressed their views, and it is now important to preserve institutions and the democratic character of society and to decide on the most important issues in a manner that is appropriate.

"There are no good arguments against dialogue. How are you going to solve problems in society if there is no dialogue?" Djuric asked.

Asked whether new elections or a government reshuffle are more realistic, he says that his personal impression is that Serbia is closer to elections.

"I am optimistic that stability in this society will not only be preserved but fundamentally will not be questioned because I believe in the responsibility of the overwhelming majority of people who want to preserve peace, stability, and the way forward," Djuric said, and when asked if he sees himself as a prime minister, he answered that he is not running for any position, loves the job he does, and does not decide that.