Đurić: Serbia is advancing its core interests and strengthening relations with the United States

On the second day of his visit to Washington, following meetings with numerous U.S. officials, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Marko Đurić stated that it is of key importance for Serbia to present its interests clearly and persuasively in one of the world’s principal decision-making centers, and to ensure that Serbia’s voice is heard more strongly than before.

Minister Đurić emphasized that the discussions in Washington focused on strengthening bilateral relations, presenting the actual situation in the region, and safeguarding Serbia’s strategic interests.

As the Foreign Minister noted, Serbia was presented as a country undergoing development, seeking stronger cooperation with the United States, while recalling the significant contribution the Serbian people made to the Allied efforts in both World Wars.

Đurić underlined that regular dialogue is essential for enhancing Serbia’s presence and influence in Washington, which is further supported by the development of the Serbian Caucus in the U.S. Congress.

According to Minister Đurić, American interlocutors were thoroughly briefed on the position of the Serbs and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as on the measures being taken to contribute to stability and the normalization of relations.

Referring to the latest developments in Kosovo and Metohija, the Minister stressed that preventing Serbs from participating in elections is entirely unacceptable. He noted that such a move represents a serious breach of democratic principles and an affront to an entire community. He expressed his expectation that the international community, as in the previous electoral cycle, would help ensure that such a decision is reversed.

Minister Đurić underscored that the State Department was the central venue for discussions on energy matters, where he held an extensive meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Jeffrey Landau. He stated that Serbia presented its arguments regarding the importance of energy stability and that the U.S. side took the information very seriously, adding that it is crucial for Serbia’s voice to be heard clearly and with sound justification.

On international matters, Minister Đurić reaffirmed Serbia’s strong support for President Donald Trump’s initiative for peace in Ukraine and reiterated Serbia’s firm commitment to peace and the humanitarian importance of ending the conflict.

Minister Đurić announced that he will hold a further series of important meetings during his stay in Washington, emphasizing that this visit represents an important step toward further strengthening relations between Serbia and the United States.