Djuric: Excellent relations with all key actors represent Serbia's greatest diplomatic know-how

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Friday excellent relations with all key international actors in both the West and the East represented Serbia's greatest diplomatic know-how and that, in that regard, President Aleksandar Vucic stood out among other heads of state.

"That is what many will not tell you publicly, but behind closed doors, in spite of all the challenges we are facing, it elicits respect, as well as a bit of envy, if you will," Djuric said on a Prva TV talk show.

Serbia is a militarily neutral country, but it is not neutral when it comes to values, Djuric said, noting that Serbia's policy was based on clearly defined values enshrined in the UN Charter.

"Those values lie at the core of our policy - inviolability of borders, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect for the freedom of decision, an independent and free foreign policy course and cooperation based on equality," Djuric said.

Besides those principles, Serbia has national interests that it must safeguard, he said, noting that the battle for Kosovo-Metohija was a constant one.

"We have Pristina and its allies, who have been lobbying for decades for it to become a full UN member, a full member of various other international organisations, and for Serbia to be pushed out completely," Djuric added.

He noted that Pristina's activities in the international arena had almost been halted completely even though its PM Albin Kurti had been making some gains on the ground by using force.

"We see that, when it comes to the EU, he has practically been under some kind of measures for years, that America has suspended its strategic dialogue with Pristina," Djuric said, adding that a wave of new recognitions of the so-called "Kosovo" had subsided.

"The score from the past ten years is by no means favourable for them," he added.