Đurić after the UN Security Council Session: Serbia Presented the Truth about the Position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija in a Substantiated Manner

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Marko Đurić, stated today in New York, following the session of the United Nations Security Council at which the regular six-month report of the United Nations Secretary General on the work of United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo was considered, that Serbia had fully utilized the opportunity to present to the international community the facts regarding the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, emphasizing that the presentation was based on facts and free of inflammatory rhetoric.

Minister Đurić underlined that at the session he spoke not only as a diplomat and minister, but as the voice of those whose daily struggle often goes unheard, pointing to the difficult situation of the Serbian people, including families whose members are detained, pensioners facing administrative obstacles, as well as healthcare workers prevented from performing their duties.

He emphasized that Serbia acted consistently as a country that supports international law, the UN Charter, and the inviolability of borders, while at the same time providing full support to the mandate of UNMIK. He added that the session was held amid a global crisis, which further underscored the importance of presenting the issue of Kosovo and Metohija in a responsible and substantiated manner.

Commenting on the address of the representatives of Priština, Đurić assessed that it was aimed at concealing the actual situation and attempting to portray Priština as an oasis of democracy, while simultaneously presenting Serbia as a destabilizing factor in the region. Nevertheless, he noted, such rhetoric did not receive significant resonance among members of the Security Council.

Đurić pointed out that during the debate it was particularly emphasized that the process of recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo has not been completed, recalling that twenty-eight states have withdrawn their recognition. He also stressed that Serbia remains committed to dialogue, compromise, and the peaceful resolution of outstanding issues.

“Truth, law, and justice are on Serbia’s side. Everyone should be aware of that,” Đurić stated.

He added that Serbia today is a country oriented toward the future, cooperation, and the building of relations based on mutual respect, noting that during his address he spoke not only on behalf of Serbs, but also of other communities in Kosovo and Metohija, including Bosniaks and Gorani, who, as he stated, are also facing pressures.

Reflecting on reactions following the session, Đurić conveyed that representatives of several Western countries, as well as Serbia’s traditional partners, pointed out to him the importance of a balanced and substantiated approach.

“We are armed with facts, and facts are the most powerful weapon, which ultimately prevails,” the Serbian Foreign Minister stated.

He recalled that the unilaterally declared independence in 2008 was adopted contrary to international law and without democratic expression, in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, emphasizing that Serbia’s territorial integrity is no less valuable than that of any other state.

Pointing to the results of Serbia’s diplomatic activities and the withdrawal of recognitions in the previous period, Đurić stated that Serbia remains committed to dialogue and compromise, while at the same time continuing to oppose campaigns for new recognitions.