Serbian Diplomacy Day was marked today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presence of members of the diplomatic corps, ministry staff, and numerous guests.
It is also, he noted, an occasion to assess achievements, examine challenges, and chart a course for the future.
Reflecting on the historical significance of the occasion, Minister Đurić highlighted that the celebration is, above all, a reminder of the deeply rooted national effort to uphold reason, moderation, and wisdom in international relations during times of significant historical upheaval.
“Today, under contemporary conditions, our diplomacy continues to rely on those solid foundations, while adapting to modern trends, challenges, and the needs of a sovereign, militarily neutral, and open country,” the Minister underscored.
He further noted that the success of Serbia’s diplomatic service would not be possible without the dedicated individuals who comprise it, extending his sincere appreciation to all Serbian diplomats who serve with commitment, as well as to the diplomats representing their countries and organizations in Serbia.
With that in mind, Minister Đurić remarked that in recent years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made considerable efforts to strengthen its human resources policy, with a particular focus on young diplomats. This aims to ensure the Ministry remains a leading institution in safeguarding Serbia’s interests and that its diplomatic and consular missions become true centers of excellence in promoting Serbia and fostering international cooperation.
“In recent years, the world has undergone accelerated global transformations, and diplomacy has become one of the key mechanisms for protecting national interests, as well as a bridge for building trust in times of crisis. The Republic of Serbia, under the wise and responsible leadership of President Aleksandar Vučić, has demonstrated maturity, independence, and strategic focus in this field,” Đurić stated.
He emphasized that Serbia’s foreign policy is not an isolated sphere of state activity, but rather an extension of its domestic policy—its guardian and ally—adding that Serbia’s foreign policy priorities are shaped in accordance with its domestic developmental aspirations and values, with the ultimate goal of creating an international environment conducive to achieving key national interests.
In this context, Minister Đurić affirmed that the Republic of Serbia will continue to pursue a policy of an outstretched hand—one that transcends divisions and borders, is dedicated to achieving stability and prosperity for all, and is grounded in a positive agenda and a vision of a shared European future. “Serbia’s foreign policy aims to create a stable and predictable international environment that will enable the realization of these priorities. It does not exist in isolation. It is both a tool and a guarantee that internal development, social cohesion, and prosperity will become a reality—not merely an aspiration,” Minister Đurić concluded.
According to Minister Đurić, Serbia’s diplomacy is characterized not only by principle, but also by flexibility and the ability to respond to challenges without ever abandoning the foundations of national policy.
“One of the key aspects of our country’s foreign policy in the coming period will be enhancing the prestige of the Serbian passport. Considerable progress has been made in negotiations on visa liberalization with numerous countries, allowing our citizens to travel without administrative barriers and to feel welcome across the world. I am proud of the fact that, thanks to our recent diplomatic efforts, citizens of Serbia can now travel visa-free to 140 countries. But we will not stop there. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure even greater freedom and ease of access to global destinations for our citizens,” Minister Đurić emphasized.
Speaking about the current global context, the Serbian Foreign Minister acknowledged that there are many challenges ahead, but also major opportunities, as geopolitical tensions, regional developments, technological transformation, migration, and emerging security threats require Serbian diplomacy to remain flexible, innovative, and consistent.
“Drawing on our experience, motivated by human potential, and inspired by the values we share with the world, we are moving forward with the vision of Serbia as a respected, secure, and open country—one that engages in dialogue, builds bridges, safeguards its interests, and respects others; a country whose diplomacy will serve as a symbol of stability in a world full of challenges and rapid change,” Đurić declared.
As part of the Serbian Diplomacy Day celebration, guests were invited to view the exhibition “Letters of Friendship – Philately and Diplomacy.” In his address, Zoran Anđelković, Director of the Public Enterprise “Post of Serbia,” highlighted philately as one of the oldest and most beautiful disciplines, celebrating culture, tradition, and the carefully cultivated ties among nations.
According to him, around thirty commemorative postage stamps were displayed, marking anniversaries of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Serbia and various countries. He noted that these editions reflect the commitment of the Post of Serbia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to leave a lasting imprint through the creative synergy of philately and diplomacy.
On the occasion of Serbian Diplomacy Day, Minister Đurić laid a wreath in front of the Ministry building and paid tribute to his colleague Nenad Nikolić, who tragically lost his life during the NATO aggression. A commemoration was also held at the Museum of Serbian Diplomacy in honor of all diplomats who lost their lives in the line of duty.
This year’s Serbian Diplomacy Day marks 186 years since the founding of the first Prince’s Office for Foreign Affairs, and 836 years since Serbia’s first recorded diplomatic mission, led by Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.
