Djuric with Woodruff: Serbia values the contribution of U.S. troops in KFOR, particularly in protecting Serbs in Kosovo

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Marko Djuric met today with Brigadier General Matthew Woodruff, Commander of the Ohio National Guard, with which the Serbian Armed Forces cooperate within the framework of the Serbia–Ohio State Partnership Program. In the talks, Minister Djuric emphasized that Serbia greatly values the contribution of the U.S. Armed Forces within the KFOR Mission, particularly in the protection of Serbs.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Djuric underlined the importance of the KFOR mission as one of the key factors in maintaining peace and security. He noted that Serbia appreciates the role of U.S. forces in fulfilling the Mission’s mandate, especially in protecting the Serb population under extremely challenging circumstances caused by the repressive measures of the provisional self-government institutions in Pristina, as well as in preserving the Serbian cultural and religious heritage in the Province.

Extending his congratulations to his counterpart on assuming the position of Commander of the Ohio National Guard, the Serbian Foreign Minister stressed that the partnership between Serbia and the U.S. state of Ohio—set to mark two decades next year—represents a model partnership.

“We are proud of the fact that the excellent cooperation with Ohio, both in the military and civil dimensions, has long gone beyond the framework of the State Partnership Program and has grown into a genuine friendship, standing out as a unique aspect of the overall relations with the United States of America,” Djuric emphasized.

Reflecting on past visits by senior Serbian and U.S. officials, Djuric noted that Belgrade would like to further intensify the frequency and scope of meetings and dialogue in various areas, given that relations between Serbia and Ohio hold immense potential for further development—both qualitatively and quantitatively—for the benefit of both sides.

“In particular, I would like to highlight economic cooperation and cooperation in the field of education, which in recent years have gained an institutional and legal framework through the signing of relevant agreements, as well as the growing number of partnerships and twinning arrangements between our cities and cities in Ohio,” the Minister stated.

Speaking about the closeness of the two peoples, Djuric also referred to the large Serbian community in Ohio, noting that its historic and cultural presence has for decades stood as a living testimony to the strength of ties not only between Serbia and Ohio, but also between Serbia and the United States as a whole.