Đurić: Serbia Is Our Choice in Foreign Policy

He also emphasised that one of the most honourable politicians of Serbia’s younger generation, Nikola Selaković, had been targeted by criticism over the matter. As Đurić noted, in serving Serbia, Selaković had become neither a tycoon nor a millionaire, nor anything of the kind, unlike some of those who had been the first to cast a stone at him and accuse him of responsibility in the “General Staff” case.

“I do not know whether you are aware of how the exploitation of a false, fabricated and contrived affair has generated numerous articles in international newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and many others, in which it was not the Serbian Government that was portrayed negatively, but our entire country. And all of this because certain irresponsible individuals sitting on the opposition benches, or who were then on the streets of Belgrade, felt the need to criminalise their own government at any cost, even when it was doing something that was clearly in Serbia’s interest,” Đurić pointed out.

According to him, this was done at a time when efforts were being made to establish business, economic and political ties between the Republic of Serbia and the highest echelons of the political establishment in one of the world’s most powerful countries, and, as he added, in full accordance with the laws of the Republic of Serbia.

“I understand, approve of and support everyone’s right to engage in opposition political activity, but why do we have to be so irresponsible? Why could we not find a thousand other things to criticise, a thousand other people, rather than one of the most honourable politicians of Serbia’s younger generation, Nikola Selaković, who, in serving Serbia, became neither a tycoon nor a millionaire nor anything of the kind, unlike some of the people who were the first to cast a stone at him and accuse him of responsibility in the ‘General Staff’ case?” Minister Đurić asked.

He stated that he stood firmly by his assertion that fabricating the affair on entirely false grounds had caused political damage to Serbia, adding that he believed it had also caused political damage to the opposition itself. He called on everyone to ensure “that such things never happen again.”

“We may disagree over a thousand things at home, but abroad we must stand united,” Đurić said.

Turning to Serbia’s foreign policy, the Serbian Foreign Minister emphasised that the country’s approach was not based on choosing sides.

“Serbia is our choice in foreign policy. Serbia’s foreign policy is solely an instrument for pursuing our state and national interests, namely preserving peace and stability in our country, safeguarding security, which includes military neutrality, maintaining Serbia’s economic growth at the heart of our policy, rebuilding our demographic foundations, and fostering the traditions, identity and culture of the Serbian people and all other peoples living in the Republic of Serbia. It is precisely to these objectives that the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is dedicated,” Đurić emphasised.

He noted that, since the beginning of this year, more than one hundred bilateral meetings and participations in multilateral gatherings had taken place, adding that Serbia had also elevated its relations with a number of countries to the strategic level.

“I would remind you of President Aleksandar Vučić’s historic visits to China, of the strategic dialogue launched with the United States, as well as with Israel. I would also remind you that, as early as next week, Belgrade will host a commemorative gathering of the Non-Aligned Movement, bringing together high-level representatives of a number of countries. This is the policy that we will continue to defend and which, I believe, notwithstanding political differences, continues to enjoy almost consensual support among the citizens of Serbia. So, we may clash politically and criticise one another, but let us not undermine Serbia, as was done with the false ‘General Staff’ affair,” Minister Marko Đurić concluded.

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