FM Djuric meets with US Senator Self at start of visit, says Serbia is strengthening position in Washington

Photo: Tanjug/MSP

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Marko Djuric started his three-day visit to the United States with a meeting with Keith Self, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, with whom he discussed issues of importance for advancing cooperation between the two countries, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MSP) has announced.

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Djuric "expressed his satisfaction with the positive momentum maintained in recent exchanges with representatives of the US Congress, noting that this constitutes a particularly important component of Serbia's political dialogue with this key legislative institution of the United States," a statement said.

It added that in to the autonomous province of Kosovo and Metohija, Djuric "highlighted the exceptionally difficult situation faced by the Serb community and the increasingly frequent unilateral actions undertaken by Pristina, underscoring the necessity of ensuring the fundamental rights and security of the Serbian people."

As for regional issues, Djuric stressed that Serbia will continue to act as a factor of stability in the region and remains committed to dialogue and the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues.

During the meeting, the interlocutors also reviewed the current geopolitical landscape and the position of Serbia within that broader context, the ministry said.

It further quoted Djuric as saying that Serbia is "entering a week which represents a potentially positive turning point in bilateral relations and an opportunity to advance cooperation during the terms of the current administrations in both countries."

Djuric announced that the Serbian delegation will hold nine meetings with senators, members of Congress, and other senior representatives of the US Congress, as well as talks with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, focusing on bilateral relations, the situation around Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS, that is under US sanctions) and the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

Djuric stressed that the current circumstances in Europe and issues of energy security make this period particularly significant, adding that an expanded Serbian team is present in Washington with the aim of ensuring that the voice of the Serbian lobby is heard more strongly, stressing that strengthening that voice is a long-term and collective task.

"This is not only the responsibility of the ambassador or the minister; it is the responsibility of our entire society, including more than one million Serbs living in the United States," the ministry quoted him as saying.

Djuric added Serbia has responsibly prepared for energy challenges and that citizens should have no concerns regarding the security of supply.

He recalled that US President Trump's administration has suspended the strategic dialogue with Pristina due to the treatment of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and announced that intensive discussions on these matters will follow.

At the same time, he noted that he would meet with Claudia Tenney, Co-Chair of the Serbian Caucus in Congress, whom he described as a sincere friend of the Serbian people, pointing to her support for the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija.

Commenting on statements by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konakovic, Djuric said that they represent a dangerous precedent. He stressed that it is inconceivable for the foreign minister of a multi-ethnic state to endorse insults directed at Serbia and the Serb people, adding that such messages undermine dialogue and inter-ethnic relations in the region.

Djuric revealed that Serbia had sent a diplomatic note to Sarajevo, adding that Konakovic's remarks made were irresponsible and contrary to the basic principles of good neighborly relations, but stressed that Serbia would not respond in kind.

"We will never accept the notion that insulting another country and another people is something normal. No, it is not, and it never will be," said Djuric.

He added that it is now up to the European Union to seriously consider the consequences of such positions for regional stability. He reiterated that Serbia remains committed to peace, dialogue, and stability, but questioned how meaningful progress in discussions could be achieved if the policy of division and incitement of hostility continues.

According to the Ministry of Foreing Affairs, Djuric concluded by saying that Serbia will continue to inform the public transparently about all current issues and challenges and will do everything in its power to secure the best possible outcomes for the country in the forthcoming discussions in Washington.

(Telegraf.rs)