Đurić: We are striving to change the perception of Serbia in the Netherlands

He mentioned that the visit is also vital for economic cooperation with the Netherlands, one of the largest investors in Serbia, employing thousands of people, and for regional issues where we also need greater understanding from the Netherlands regarding the position of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija.

"We also discussed the current situation in our country because we do not want any domestic events to overshadow the phenomenal achievements our nation has realized over the past decade, which are seldom discussed in Western Europe despite the fact that our country has completely transformed the paradigm of its economy, growing from 32 billion to over 70 billion euros in annual GDP, and with a strong and clear message that Serbia is coming to the European table not to ask or beg for anything but as a country with character, with seven million hardworking people who can significantly contribute to the European community and who have, after all, been here for centuries," Minister Đurić emphasized.

The head of Serbian diplomacy highlighted that the discussions also covered specific ways Serbia assists in preventing illegal migrations, a highly significant political issue in the Netherlands.

"Serbia has achieved remarkable results, stopping more than 70 percent of illegal migrations across the Balkan route last year. This positions us among the European leaders on this topic, which is crucial for the current generation of politicians here in the Netherlands," the Minister pointed out.

He also reflected on the most significant topics of conversation with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Christophe Kamp.

"Regarding Kosovo and Metohija, I emphasized that, in light of the upcoming elections, Serbs are facing discrimination and the fact that, although the constitution of so-called Kosovo, or as we say, Kosovo and Metohija, guarantees that Serbs can choose their representatives in the government, this is not allowed today. I also mentioned the fact that the number of Serbs on the electoral roll has been reduced by thousands between two electoral cycles and we initiated many other topics - such as the denial of the right for Serbs to receive salaries, pensions, and other entitlements from Serbia," Đurić highlighted.

On the first day of his visit, the Serbian Foreign Minister emphasized a discussion at a Dutch institute focused on international politics and diplomacy.

"We presented to the academic community Serbia's position in a rapidly changing world, our balanced policy which ensures that we maintain excellent relations with the European Union, as well as very good relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We also discussed Serbia's energy security and how Serbia is ensuring a secure and protected energy source in an era where energy consumption is rapidly increasing due to modern technologies," Đurić stated.

Highlighting the broad spectrum of topics at the forefront of his official visit to the Netherlands, Minister Đurić expressed that "we are fighting for Serbia's European perspective, for new jobs, and for a completely different relationship between the Netherlands and Serbia".

"I think it is very important that we strive to change the image held by the political class here in the Netherlands, an image that has been overshadowed by events in our region during the 1990s. This is no simple task, but it is one that could change the stance of one of the key Western countries towards Serbia," Đurić said.

The Minister announced that he would have a series of important meetings tomorrow: with Geert Wilders, one of the main political leaders not only in the Netherlands but also in Western Europe, the Dutch Foreign Minister Kasper Veldkamp, members of the Dutch Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, and representatives of Dutch companies.