Djuric: We have withstood all challenges to accept the imposition of Kosovo’s independence

Over the past 14 years, despite numerous challenges, Serbia and its leadership have managed to withstand pressures to accept the imposition of Kosovo’s independence, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated, adding that there is a domestic consensus on this issue. He also said that Albin Kurti has done nothing to deserve a change in the European Union’s position or the lifting of measures that Brussels has imposed on Pristina.

Djuric said that Serbia’s national interests include the preservation of stability, independent decision-making, military neutrality, economic development, and efforts to improve demographic trends, and that there should be consensus around these priorities.

“Within the concept of independence, the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty is crucial—something without which serious politics cannot be imagined. This is the subject of our day-and-night efforts to protect these positions. Over the past 14 years, since I have been involved in state policy, we have faced countless challenges and have managed to withstand pressures for Serbia to accept the independence of Kosovo and Metohija. We have withstood them thanks to consensus and thanks to the capacity of the state leadership. I have personally, on more than one occasion, witnessed the pressures to which the President of Serbia was exposed. We have a consensus that we will not accept the imposition of Kosovo and Metohija’s independence,” Djuric said in an interview with Euronews Serbia.

Asked whether greater U.S. involvement in the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue could be expected, he replied that, however much one might wish to attach importance to oneself and one’s problems, at a time when tectonic plates are shifting globally, it is unrealistic to expect key international actors to focus on this region unless there is a crisis—and Serbia, he stressed, will do everything to prevent such a crisis.

Djuric emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump, during his first term, contributed to improving the overall climate, and that his initiative, the Washington Agreement, was a good step in the right direction.

“Focusing on economic relations, opening air routes, and building roads and railways can deprive those pursuing toxic policies of their arguments,” the minister said.

He underlined that Albin Kurti’s policy is the complete opposite, describing it as ideologically antagonistic, as it represents a combination of ultranationalist and certain left-wing ideas.

Djuric said he does not believe Brussels views Kurti more favorably than Washington does, noting that the measures imposed on Pristina remain in force.

“However, I do see proposals to lift those restrictive measures. I do not believe Kurti has earned a change in attitude in any way. If someone believes that the ‘democratic election’ of four mayors in the north is proof that he is not blocking dialogue, that would be deeply discouraging, as it would amount to abandoning the principle of fairness,” he stressed.

Djuric said it is important for Serbia to continue developing its relations with the United States and expressed confidence that 2026 would be a year of strategic dialogue with Washington.

“We are geographically part of Europe, and we have every interest in building bridges toward the million people of Serbian origin living in the United States,” he added.

He pointed out that relations between Serbia and the United States have been improving since Trump’s return, as reflected in high-level meetings and, more concretely, in Washington’s approach to issues of national importance for Serbia.

In that context, he recalled the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Trump administration abandoned attempts at internal restructuring, lifted sanctions against the leadership of the republic of Srpska, and renewed cooperation with it.

With regard to Kosovo, he noted that the Trump administration suspended strategic dialogue with Pristina due to violations of Serbian rights and also suspended assistance.

“All of this was done despite strong pressure from the Albanian community in the United States. Albanians in the U.S. are so well organized and influential that it is almost a miracle that we managed to achieve understanding from the American administration for the Serbian position,” the Serbian foreign minister explained.

Asked about Greenland and the positions of the United States and the EU, Djuric observed that countries which recognized Kosovo are now the ones most vocal in their lamentations.

“How is it that Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty do not carry the same value as those of other countries? We all remember the cynical narratives that Kosovo was a unique case that would never be repeated, allegedly arising from human rights violations and the criminal nature of the former regime, and that it would become a democratic issue once that ‘undemocratic regime’ was removed. I was a high-school graduate when the Milosevic regime was overthrown, and I participated in the protests. I remember very well being told that if we changed the government, Kosovo and Montenegro would become democratic issues. But all of that was merely a pretext to dismantle our state union. Today, we are seeing different winds in the international community,” Djuric said.

He stressed that Serbia today is economically, militarily, and in other respects stronger, as a result of developments over the past decade.

“Serbia has friends on all continents. It also has those who do not wish it well, but it has built such a network of friends and partners within the international community that a repeat of the events of the late 1990s is no longer possible. Relations with the major powers are now based on mutual respect. Serbia is no longer addressed in the language of threats and blackmail,” the minister emphasized.

He said Serbia is carefully analyzing the situation and, given its institutional capacities, sees no reason to fear more than other European or global states.

“I cannot prejudge Greenland. I can only keep pointing out how karma returns,” he added.

Speaking about the EU, Djuric said Serbia is a loyal friend and that, if it were a member, it would undoubtedly be among the strongest defenders of European interests.

“Yet we have not been admitted to the EU for 20 years. For five years now, Cluster 3 has not been opened, even though everything has been fulfilled according to their own assessments. We want to become an EU member, but until we do, we cannot bear the full burden of responsibility as if we already were,” Djuric said.

He added that Serbia wants the entire Western Balkans to become part of the EU, which would certainly strengthen the Union, but that it is evident that Europe’s attention is currently focused elsewhere, and the price of that is Europe’s inability to fully rely on the support and capacities of Western Balkan countries.

Djuric announced that Serbia would soon open an embassy in Riga, which will cover the Baltic states, creating opportunities to engage with parts of Europe where Serbian arguments are less well known.

“I am convinced that this year will be marked by strong engagement aimed at deepening understanding for Serbia’s position where skepticism still exists,” he added.

He also announced that Serbia plans to open embassies in Vietnam, Georgia, Tanzania, and several other countries.

Regarding the region, Djuric said Serbia wants its neighbors to progress toward EU membership, but does not want to be left behind on that path.

He expressed confidence that no country in the region would be admitted to the EU out of turn at Serbia’s expense.

“That will not happen in that way. The enlargement strategy should not be based on portraying one another negatively. Progress requires maturity, responsibility, and readiness for cooperation,” he said.

Djuric noted that there is a high degree of skepticism about enlargement in some EU member states, and that some would prefer to see Ukraine, Moldova, and others admitted before the Western Balkan countries.

“I believe there will be willingness for enlargement in leading EU countries this year, but upcoming elections show that this could change. Therefore, basing policy solely on the certainty of membership is premature, and a policy of regional cooperation is necessary,” he added.

He pointed out that the example of Albin Kurti in the last elections showed how political points were sought precisely through confrontation and negative policies in interethnic relations.

“I believe Serbia should pursue a policy of the future. It is in our interest to open borders and strengthen regional cooperation. President Aleksandar Vucic’s Open Balkan initiative was a pioneering endeavor—to establish cooperation within the region regardless of the dynamics within the EU and the enlargement process, without waiting for those processes. However, that initiative was not always met with sincerity, goodwill, or genuine readiness to cooperate,” Djuric concluded.