Djuric meets with Egyptian candidate for UNESCO director-general

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met on Friday with Egypt's candidate for UNESCO director-general, Khaled El-Anany, whose candidacy Serbia has officially endorsed.

"Minister Djuric emphasised that the Republic of Serbia attaches immense importance to the role and mandate of the UNESCO Director-General, as well as to the Organisation itself, which represents one of the key pillars of the multilateral system," the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

"Recalling the traditionally friendly and comprehensive relations between Serbia and Egypt, as well as their successful cooperation within international organisations, the Minister reaffirmed Serbia’s formal support for Dr El-Anany’s candidacy for this important and responsible position.

Minister Djuric underscored that Serbia is a sincere and committed partner in upholding the core values upon which UNESCO is founded, stressing that the Organisation must remain a mechanism for solidarity, dialogue, and joint efforts by Member States toward building a more just and sustainable world," the MFA also said.

"The Serbian Foreign Minister expressed deep concern over the continued attacks on Serbian cultural and religious heritage in Kosovo-Metohija, particularly on sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. He emphasised that safeguarding these monuments is a matter of the highest priority for Serbia and called for respect for the universal values and historical significance of this heritage.

He particularly stressed that any consideration of a request for membership by the so-called 'Kosovo' in UNESCO would be entirely unacceptable for the Republic of Serbia, as it would deepen divisions among Member States, politicise cultural heritage and seriously undermine the credibility of the Organisation itself," it also said.