Djuric: Serbia continues to strengthen partnerships with NAM member states

KAMPALA - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Wednesday that, in its foreign policy, Serbia would continue to maintain good relations with Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) member states and strengthen its position amongst them, as well as to create new opportunities for the Serbian economy.

Djuric is attending a ministerial meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau in Kampala, Uganda.

“It is a great honour and privilege for me to represent a country that, 65 years ago, was among the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, and today, when the Non-Aligned states have become drivers of global economic and political growth and development, that heritage represents enormous political capital for Serbia," he said.

"The Serbian Foreign Minister emphasised that Serbia’s presence in Africa, at the Non-Aligned meeting, has a clear purpose — to create new opportunities for the Serbian economy, to strengthen political ties and positions, and to reaffirm that, among the Non-Aligned countries, Serbia has the largest number of friends who support its positions regarding Kosovo-Metohija, as well as on other important international issues," the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

Djuric pointed out that delegations from all over the world had arrived in Kampala, and added that he was currently the only European foreign minister attending the summit, with the expectation that his Austrian counterpart might also join.

“Representatives of several other European countries are here at different levels, because many in Europe also recognise the importance of developing relations with this part of the world, where, I repeat, Serbia truly belongs. Not only because of history dating back 65 years, but also because we have carefully nurtured and preserved our relationships with these nations throughout the decades,” Djuric said.

He recalled that Serbia, among the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, maintained the most developed network of diplomatic missions in Africa, with embassies and honorary consulates in many African countries.

“We will continue to strengthen Serbia’s position, not only on the African continent but wherever there are political, economic, cultural, and other opportunities for our country. It is very important that all these nations advocate for respect of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law. Let me repeat once more - nowhere will we find more friends on the issue of Kosovo-Metohija than among the members of the Non-Aligned Movement,” Djuric noted.

He added that the NAM represented a great legacy for Serbia, passed down by previous generations, recalling the role of former Yugoslav president Tito as one of its founders and highlighting the continuity of Serbia’s foreign policy today.

Under the leadership of President Aleksandar Vucic and its government, Serbia continues to strengthen partnerships with the NAM countries, Djuric concluded.