Đurić: Germany is an advocate and champion of deepening regional cooperation

Expressing satisfaction with the visit of Minister Wadephul and members of the Bundestag to Serbia, Minister Đurić emphasized that the guest from Germany is an excellent connoisseur of developments in the Balkans, as well as a strong proponent and advocate of deepening cooperation with our region and building new and different relations.

“Serbia’s strategic goal is to become a member of the European Union as soon as possible, and membership in that community is simultaneously an opportunity to transform the paradigm of relations in our region,” Minister Đurić underlined. He stated that Serbia sees in this process an opportunity to create a new and different future—one in which the greatest peace project in Europe’s history will fully transform inter-state and inter-ethnic relations on our continent.

“To reach this goal, towards which we have been striving for many years, we must double and triple our reform efforts,” the Serbian Foreign Minister stressed. He added that cooperation with Germany—both in the economic sphere and in numerous other areas—contributes significantly to Serbia’s overall economic and reform potential. He therefore described today’s meeting as an opportunity to discuss a broad range of topics in this domain.

“We jointly noted that our relations are exceptionally well-developed and comprehensive, and that they are characterized by a readiness for further enhancement,” Minister Đurić highlighted. He pointed out that the meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss various regional issues. He briefed his German counterpart on the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as on Serbia’s commitment to preserving peace and strengthening stability and cooperation in the region.

Minister Đurić stated that partnership with Germany—as one of Serbia’s key partners—is of crucial importance for making Serbia’s and the region’s European perspective closer, more tangible, and attainable. He reiterated that Serbia seeks to join the EU in the shortest possible time, explaining that Serbia’s human resources, the fact that it constitutes over 52 percent of the regional economy, and its overall societal potential enable the country to contribute significantly to the European project. He expressed firm conviction that Serbia’s place and future lie in Europe.

Speaking about Serbia’s progress in the EU integration process, Minister Đurić requested the support of the German Government for further opening of clusters and advancing in line with the European Commission’s report recommending the opening of Cluster 3. Underscoring the special importance of the Berlin Process as one of the most significant instruments for regional cooperation, Đurić stated that Serbia wishes to play an even more active role within this initiative.

Emphasizing Serbia’s desire for further deepening of cooperation and ties with Germany, Minister Đurić noted that Serbia holds deep respect and gratitude toward Germany, recalling that Serbia has doubled its GDP over the past decade—due in large measure to the presence of numerous German companies. “But our connection is not merely economic; it is also a connection of values, a connection within the European context. That is why our cooperation will continue to grow in the period ahead. I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Federal Republic of Germany for the assistance it has provided to the Republic of Serbia, especially as we mark 25 years of cooperation in development assistance—where the German state and German taxpayers have allocated significant resources to improving institutional quality and the quality of life of citizens in Serbia. I would also like to mention the large Serbian community in the Federal Republic of Germany, which serves as a historical bridge between our two countries, and I am convinced that this community can further contribute to strengthening our overall potential,” Minister Đurić concluded.

The German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul, stated that Serbia and Germany are closely connected—politically as well as economically—which is clearly reflected in the fact that Germany is Serbia’s most important trading partner.

He added that he and Minister Đurić agreed that there are many areas for even closer cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the field of energy security and the development of renewable energy sources.

He emphasized that Serbia is part of the European family and should have the opportunity to participate in the EU’s community of values, and that he held an open exchange with Minister Đurić on strengthening cooperation and jointly defending European values: freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

Wadephul underlined that Serbia—being the economically strongest and most populous state in the Western Balkans—holds a special role and must resolutely follow the path toward the EU, and that Germany and the EU stand ready to support Serbia on that path.

The German Foreign Minister stated that a renewed impetus exists in the accession process for the Western Balkan countries. To join this common peace project, visible progress in reforms—especially in the rule of law and the fight against corruption—is necessary, he stressed, adding that he expects the Government of Serbia to implement the required reforms.

Minister Wadephul also emphasized that the meeting included an open discussion on Kosovo and Metohija, noting that he and Minister Đurić agreed that the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina has no alternative.