Djuric receives Norway's Western Balkans envoys

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met with Norway's newly-appointed and former special Western Balkans envoys Eirik Nestas Mathisen and Haakon Blankenborg in Belgrade on Thursday and noted that the situation in the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija was the most significant state issue for Serbia and informed them of unilateral moves by the Pristina provisional institutions, which have led to violations of the rights of Serbs in the southern province.

Djuric said Serbia and Norway maintained long-standing, close and intensive cooperation and that Norwegian presence in the Western Balkan region had been multiply significant to Serbia, the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

Noting that the two countries had good bilateral relations in many spheres, Djuric said there was space for further advancement of cooperation.

He said full EU membership remained Serbia's strategic commitment and added that the country would complete all the necessary reforms in the accession process by 2027.

Speaking about the situation in the region, Djuric noted that Serbia was a pillar of stability and was unequivocally advocating peace and general economic progress across the region.

"One of the priorities of Serbia's policy regarding neighbouring countries is strengthening of relationships of trust and mutual respect, but also advancement of comprehensive cooperation," Djuric said.