Djuric: We expect EU assistance in implementing the agreement on health and educational institutions in Kosovo

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric met today with the Italian Ambassador to Belgrade, Luca Gori, and expressed the expectation that the European Union and its institutions will closely monitor and assist in the implementation of the agreement on the functioning of Serbian health and educational institutions in Kosovo.

“Reflecting on the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, Minister Djuric underlined that Belgrade consistently plays a constructive role and expressed the expectation that the EU and its institutions will, in the period ahead, closely follow and support the implementation of the recently reached agreement on the functioning of health and educational institutions in the southern Serbian province,” the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Djuric and Gori also discussed key issues of mutual interest aimed at further enhancing the already very good cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, and high technologies, as well as possibilities for accelerating Serbia’s accession process to the European Union.

The Minister reiterated that membership in the European Union remains a strategic commitment and a priority of Serbia’s foreign policy, expressing gratitude for Italy’s strong support to that process.

He emphasized that the integration of Serbia and other Western Balkan countries is gaining additional importance in the context of current geopolitical challenges and armed conflicts in several regions of the world.

Serbia, he noted, is striving to implement the necessary reforms and fulfill guidelines and recommendations by the end of 2026 in order to be ready for EU membership.

The head of Serbian diplomacy expressed satisfaction with the achieved level of bilateral relations and particularly thanked for the good organization and results of last week’s visit to Italy, where he participated in the session of the Central European Initiative and had the opportunity to meet with Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani.

On the occasion of the upcoming specialized international exhibition Expo 2027 in Belgrade, activities and concrete projects for promoting the event over the coming months were discussed, in which Serbian and Italian institutions are expected to participate.

Special attention was devoted to organizing bilateral and regional meetings focused on strengthening cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, and new technologies, the statement added.