Djuric: Presence in OAS important for our economy, support in UN

ST JOHNS - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Thursday participation in the Organisation of American States (OAS) General Assembly session in St Johns, Antigua and Barbuda, was very important for Serbia both when it comes to economic cooperation and to safeguarding the country's national interests.

Serbia has permanent observer status in the OAS.

Djuric said Serbia spoke in a very clear voice in terms of respect for the UN Charter and a need for states to be able to freely pursue their respective domestic and foreign policies, regardless of their size.

"It is important that we have critical support from countries in the UN General Assembly, where decisions are made about Kosovo-Metohija and about all other topics that are important for us," Djuric said, adding that having a developed network of friendships beyond the European continent was a comparative advantage for Serbia.

"A very large number of countries that are against war have gathered here, many countries that advocate respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia as well as all other countries in the world. There are many countries here that think about global challenges and problems similarly to the way we do," Djuric said.

He said the specialised EXPO 2027, to be hosted in Belgrade, was an important objective of a Serbian delegation's attendance at the OAS General Assembly meeting.

"We are here to ensure that our EXPO 2027 is the most successful EXPO ever, with the greatest response from countries," Djuric said.

"We want to gather the entire world around the values of cooperation and openness, around ideas that connect us in a difficult time when, at times, everything around us seems to be falling apart when it comes to the international order but, right at this time, we stand firmly by the principles of the UN Charter," Djuric noted.

He said the session was also an opportunity for discussions about economic cooperation.