Đurić: Serbia will continue with intensive diplomatic action and campaign
“We sent a strong message that we will work closely with each of our neighbours in the period ahead to advance our economic cooperation, transport connectivity, scientific and youth exchanges between our countries and peoples, and work on resolving issues from the past in a way that will not undermine the national interests of any of the involved parties,” Đurić emphasized.
The Serbian Foreign Minister assessed that discussions at today's forum were not easy for Serbia, as there were several open and thinly veiled or covert attacks on the political positions of our country.
"I endeavoured to represent Serbian interests in a dignified manner and to be governed by the motto that trying to win in a debate - like in a televised one - might not be the most important, but that the most important thing is to show that we want to contribute to a resolution of problems in the region through a constructive approach," Minister Đurić noted.
He said that Serbia's European partners and Germany, the host country, representatives of ministers from countries in the region, but also Ministers from Austria, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia and representatives from France, Italy and Poland had been able to see first-hand that Serbia viewed relations in the region in a normal and reasonable manner.
"Unlike others, we did not throw any political barbs, but tried to portray the situation as it really is. In bilateral discussions I had with fellow ministers, I also pointed out the very difficult position of our people in Kosovo and Metohija, caused by uncoordinated and unilateral moves by the Kurti regime, which has threatened some of the basic functionalities the survival of the Serb community in Kosovo and Metohija depends on," Đurić stressed.
He specifically thanked the host, Minister Annalena Baerbock, as Germany's Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under her leadership, has shown a willingness not only to invest in this process of regional cooperation in its many dimensions, but Minister Baerbock herself demonstrated a readiness to listen to Serbia's arguments during their bilateral meeting.
"A mutual commitment to development of our economic cooperation and cooperation in science and technology was also reiterated at that meeting - which is extremely important for us - as was, generally speaking, a commitment to the development of our dialogue on various political issues, which, while bringing our two countries closer together, also means a stronger anchoring of our country and our fatherland in a wider international environment," the Serbian head of diplomacy said.
According to Minister Đurić, today's visit to Berlin was also marked by a very high-quality meeting with the Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg.
"Economic cooperation between Serbia and Austria is on the rise, the political consultations and talks we had today were another opportunity to explain our position when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, but also to various other regional issues. And also, to once again receive support for the opening of that third cluster when it comes to the European Union, which is something we always emphasize", Đurić pointed out.
Minister Đurić also mentioned having an excellent conversation with his Hungarian colleague and friend, Peter Szijjártó, and they agreed on several concrete meetings in the upcoming period to strengthen economic, political, and other forms of exchange between Serbia and Hungary.
"It is good at a meeting like this, as you find yourself in the middle of sometimes difficult conversations, when you come across a friendly face and understanding for what Serbia's interests are, and such mutual support was visible here as well," stressed Đurić.
Referring to the meeting with Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Minister Đurić underlined that he believed that there were vast opportunities for cooperation and overlapping interests between the UK, which is no longer in the European Union, and Serbia, which is not yet a member.
"There is certainly a need to deepen political dialogue and understanding with the UK, as a power that is politically, historically, deeply rooted in our region. I think this was a step in the right direction. We would like to see David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, as well as my today’s interlocutor, the British Minister of State for Europe, in Serbia,” Minister Đurić noted.
Đurić conveyed from Berlin that Serbia would continue its intensive diplomatic action and campaign.