Đurić: Serbia is strengthening its position in Washington

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Marko Đurić, stated today, during his visit to Washington, 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.

Minister Đurić announced that the Serbian delegation will hold nine meetings with senators, members of Congress, and other senior representatives of the U.S. Congress, as well as talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, focusing on bilateral relations, the situation in the Petroleum Industry of Serbia, and the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

Đurić underlined 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,” Đurić emphasized.

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

He recalled that President Trump’s administration 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 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković, Đurić said that they represent a dangerous precedent. He stressed that it is inconceivable for the foreign minister of a multiethnic state to endorse insults directed at Serbia and the Serbian people, adding that such messages undermine dialogue and interethnic relations in the region.

He stated that Serbia had delivered a diplomatic note to Sarajevo, assessing that the 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,” Minister Đurić concluded.

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.

Đurić concluded 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.