Djuric: Serbia wants peace in Balkans

WASHINGTON - Serbia abhors the idea of another regional war, Serbian Ambassador to Washington Marko Djuric wrote in a letter published by the Wall Street Journal, noting that maintaining peace and stability in the Balkans was an absolute priority for Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian government.

In a reaction to the US paper's March 18 op-ed piece titled Putin Wants War in the Balkans, Djuric noted that, "while appreciative of Ivana Stradner and Mark Montgomery’s inclination to explain foreign relations in the Balkan region," he was "gravely disappointed to read their mischaracterisation of Serbia’s intentions."

"I can confidently assert, as one with intimate knowledge of Serbia’s history and future aspirations, that my country abhors the idea of another regional war. Contrary to the op-ed’s argument, it is an absolute priority for our president, Aleksandar Vucic, and our government to maintain peace and stability in the Balkans," Djuric wrote.

Serbia has sought EU and US engagement to stop Pristina's PM Albin Kurti from destabilising the Balkans, Djuric added, noting that Kurti had faced global condemnation over oppression of 100,000 Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija.

He added that was just one of the ways in which Serbia continued to push for decades of stability in the region.

"Over the past decade, Serbia has rapidly expanded its economy - it attracts 65 pct of all foreign direct investment in the Balkans - inaugurated, promoted and developed regional cooperation initiatives such as the Open Balkan platform, and cultivated strong relationships with all continental partners, including Ukraine. Notably, President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly thanked President Vucic at a summit in Albania this past February for his support of Ukraine," Djuric also wrote.