Office for Kosovo and Metohija
Government of the Republic of Serbia

Director Marko Đurić received delegation of Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Đurić today received a delegation of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, led by the Director-General for Europe, Ambassador Hubert Heiss.

Director Đurić discussed Serbia’s European prospects, and briefed the Austrian diplomats on the process and prospects of the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Priština. Đurić noted that the Government of Serbia sees the government in Vienna as one of the key partners in European integrations, but also in ensuring lasting stability in the region.

Ambassador Heiss stressed the importance of the Western Balkans remaining on the EU political agenda, with the emphasis on a clear European perspective for all the countries in the region.

"Austria maintains that all countries in the region should accede to the EU, as this is important both for the Western Balkans countries and for the EU. Without stability in this region there is no stability in Europe, which is why this region must be the focus of the EU policies," said Heiss.

Director Đurić briefed the representatives of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs about the ongoing Brussels-based dialogue and topics that Belgrade wishes to open in the dialogue on normalization.

"There is no alternative to the dialogue. Anything else would be a waste of time or would lead to instability," Đurić explained, adding that significant new breakthroughs could be made in the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština if the status issue is pushed aside and if both parties expressed their wish for direct talks on topics which can be resolved without the EU intervention.

Đurić stressed that, as for the Brussels dialogue, Belgrade would continue to send positive messages and create a better atmosphere for the talks.