Serbian Diplomacy Day marked, Djuric: Safety of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija through diplomatic means is our main priority

Foreign Minister Marko Djuric marked Serbian Diplomacy Day today with colleagues, a day designated by the Government of the Republic of Serbia since 2015. On this occasion, he stated that preserving Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia's borders was of utmost national importance and that ensuring the safety of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija through diplomatic means was our main priority.

Minister Djuric and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Serbia, Mohamed Amin Belhaj, the doyen of heads of missions in Belgrade, addressed the attendees, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Our responsibility and obligation in today's time, fraught with numerous challenges and demanding rapid adaptation to changing international circumstances, is to adequately represent the country and diplomacy with such a tradition," Djuric said.

He added that it was time for Serbia to invest all efforts into modernizing and professionalizing the diplomatic service and creating an institution that would be capable of helping the country face the complexities of the modern world.

"Serbia must take a proactive, rather than reactive, role on the international scene. Our country will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy oriented towards our national priorities, well-defined by our President, Aleksandar Vucic. The basic principles guiding our foreign policy are rooted in respect for international law and the UN Charter, along with a commitment to and promotion of dialogue and mutual respect," the Minister said.

He assessed that Serbia would be recognized as a responsible, credible, and reliable partner committed to peace, stability, and economic growth in the Balkan region.

"Respected guests, an old Serbian proverb says, 'Nothing is lost from a clenched fist, but nothing is gained either.' Therefore, recognizing the importance of engagement with major global and European actors, Serbia has adopted the approach of extending a hand in its foreign policy orientation and will continue to extend its hand to all partners worldwide. Our relations with European partners, such as Germany, are crucial despite occasional differences," Djuric noted.

As he added, Serbia is striving to become a full member of the EU and will continue to implement the reform agenda, as well as value its historical friendships while building and creating new ones over time.

"I am truly looking forward to working with each of you individually to enhance our diplomatic relations. Preserving Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia's borders is of utmost national importance. Ensuring the safety of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija through diplomatic means remains our main priority. We are committed to the dialogue process with the mediation of the EU, advocating for the rights of our compatriots, and ending their systemic oppression. Serbia is determined to break the cycle of conflict and differences by engaging in dialogue with all regional actors to overcome the legacy of the past. Instead of fueling conflicts, we advocate the ethos of the Open Balkan, promoting connectivity and prosperity in the region, relieving it from the burdens of the recent past. We remain open to regional cooperation, believing that only through a stable political climate can we create better economic conditions for our citizens," the head of Serbian diplomacy said.

Mohamed Amin Belhaj stated that celebrating Serbian Diplomacy Day symbolized the success of Serbian diplomacy in defending the national interests of its people, promoting the values of freedom, peace, and good neighborliness, and establishing bridges in its immediate surroundings.

"Serbian diplomat and Nobel Prize winner for literature Ivo Andric once said that diplomacy is not for everyone, but it can be said without reservation that only a small number of people truly have the gift and calling for this job. Today, as I celebrate the excellent work of capable women and men of the Serbian diplomatic service worldwide in defending national interests, promoting multilateralism and respecting international law, and representing a rich and vibrant country, I would like to wish the Republic of Serbia every success in organizing EXPO 27 in Belgrade, which is truly a fantastic success of Serbian diplomacy," the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco said.

As stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy Day, established in 2015, among other reasons, commemorates the first diplomatic mission of the Serbian state dating back over 835 years.

It is celebrated in memory of 1839, when the young Serbian state formed the Princely Office of Foreign Affairs – a precursor to today's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Djuric visited the Museum of Diplomacy, where documents demonstrating the long tradition of Serbian diplomacy, which this year celebrates 835 years, are kept. The Minister signed the guest book of the Museum, renovated in 2016.

On the same occasion, Minister Djuric laid a wreath in front of the Ministry's building in memory and tribute to his tragically deceased colleague Nenad Nikolic during the NATO aggression. Nikolic lost his life on April 30, 1999. A laurel wreath was also laid in memory of all the deceased colleagues who lost their lives during their diplomatic service.

State Secretary Goran Aleksic and Assistant Ministers Jagoda Lazarevic and Ljiljana Niksic also paid tribute to their colleagues.