Minister Đurić meets with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kasanof
Đurić said that he was pleased with the dynamics of high-level political dialogue and reiterated Serbia's commitment to the promotion of bilateral relations with the United States in all areas.
Referring to the recently signed Agreement on strategic cooperation in the energy sector of the Republic of Serbia, the Minister said it heralded a new era of strategic cooperation with the United States, and added that he hoped the document would be an additional step towards opening a strategic dialogue.
The Serbian Foreign Minister raised serious concerns over the increasing threat to the safety and survival of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. He said that continued pressure, coercion and unendurable living conditions faced by our people in the province were a consequence of unilateral, provocative and violent moves by the provisional institutions in Pristina.
In this context, Đurić reiterated that Belgrade remained committed to peace and continued dialogue with Pristina, but also noted the necessity to implement all the agreements reached, in particular, to finally establish the Community of Serb Municipalities as a commitment assumed under the Brussels Agreement more than a decade ago.
Regarding Serbia's progress towards full EU membership, Minister Đurić expressed his gratitude for the U.S. support in achieving this foreign policy priority of ours, informing Kasanof about the numerous steps taken in that regard. He particularly highlighted the Reform Agenda recently adopted by the Serbian Government with the aim of an accelerated implementation of all launched political, legislative, judicial, economic and other reforms by 2027.
Minister Đurić also noted that Serbia remained strongly committed to regional cooperation and a good-neighbourly policy promoting a future-oriented "positive agenda" and focusing on developing economic and all other forms of mutually beneficial cooperation.
In terms of bilateral economic relations, Đurić also expressed his satisfaction at the intensified development of cooperation, which, as he stated, was characterized by an increasing inflow of investments from U.S. companies and the growing trade in goods and services.
