Djuric meets with diplomatic representatives of Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia and Spain

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met with diplomatic representatives of Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia and Spain on Wednesday to inform them of the most recent move by the provisional Pristina authorities, which have groundlessly arrested Igor Popovic - a Serbian official and aide to Belgrade's chief negotiator in the dialogue with Pristina - over views stated at a memorial service for Serb victims in Orahovac, Kosovo-Metohija.

Djuric noted the arrest was an act of political persecution, a threat to freedom of speech and a continuation of a constant cycle of repression, the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

At the same time, it is also a strong message that strikes fear among the Serb population, whose representative has been arrested, he added.

Djuric underscored that Serbia was committed to dialogue but that such moves by Pristina led to destabilisation on the ground and threatened security across the region in circumstances where stability was imperative.

He called on the international community to react to stop the irresponsible policy of the Albin Kurti regime, aimed at an ultimate expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo-Metohija.

Concrete action and even greater support for the Serb population in Kosovo-Metohija is needed, Djuric said.

He thanked the diplomats for respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and for a principled policy of respect for international law and the UN Charter, and informed them of events that led to Popovic's arrest and of the conditions he was currently in.

He voiced grave concern over potential consequences for Belgrade-Pristina relations that may arise from the present situation as Popovic is a member of the Serbian government's negotiating team in the dialogue, the statement said.