Đurić: Pleasant and cordial meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Landau

Minister Đurić emphasized that President Trump’s contribution to global and European peace efforts is of vital importance for the near future, particularly in terms of openness to dialogue, the pursuit of mutually acceptable solutions, and a willingness to compromise.

“This is a vision for the future that takes into account the interests of ordinary people, economic development, and the creation of a new atmosphere in international relations,” Đurić stated, adding that this also applies to Serbian-American relations.

According to him, Serbia has rarely had such friends and outstanding interlocutors within the U.S. administration over many generations.

“We have a historic opportunity in our generation to strengthen bilateral relations and elevate the 144-year-old partnership between Serbia and the United States to a new strategic level. Together with President Vučić and our administration in Serbia, we will work to fully realize the potential for developing economic, political, cultural, and other forms of cooperation,” Đurić said, noting that more than one million people of Serbian descent live in the United States.

He expressed gratitude for the warm welcome in Ohio, where he will participate in an event marking the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Minister Đurić added that not all meetings in Dayton are expected to be as pleasant and cordial as the one with the Deputy Secretary of State, but emphasized that he will firmly defend Serbia’s national interests.

“I expect that, here as well, Serbia will face pressure from various sides—including representatives of other countries and parts of the international community—to change its positions regarding support for the Republic of Srpska within Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Đurić stated.

He also noted that Serbia will likely be pressured to abandon its insistence on resolving issues through internal dialogue that respects the views of all democratically elected representatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to cease its calls for an end to the one-sided targeting of Serbian leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“We are here to firmly advocate for Serbian interests, for the future, and for peace. Our vision for the region is that the Balkans can become a region of success, a region of the future, a region of cooperation. We are against efforts to drag us back into the past by establishing hierarchies among the victims of past wars or by blaming only one side—especially the Serbian side. I believe we have friends and allies here who will understand our position,” Minister Đurić concluded.