Office for Kosovo and Metohija
Government of the Republic of Serbia

Đurić: Prime Minister and Government achieved results that underpin our future

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Marko Đurić said that when it comes to the prosperity of the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija and the opening of the first chapters, the Serbian Government and Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić achieved results that underpin our future, adding that without the patience, the efforts and the understanding of the people in Kosovo Serbia would not have been able to boast such a result.

In a meeting held with the political representatives of the Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, Director Marko Đurić spoke about the plans for next year, when Serbia would endeavor to table for negotiations the topics that so far Priština has refused to discuss, and which are directly related the position of Serbs, their property, rights and the quality of their life.

"In January I expect resumption of the dialogue at all levels, our fight will continue," said the Director of the government's Office for Kosovo and Metohija.

"It is also necessary to find a sustainable manner to resolve the issues pertaining to the cultural heritage, the status and assets of the SPC," Đurić said, noting that the successful completion of the numerous heavy rounds of the dialogue is not reflected only in the creation of conditions for the survival and the sustainable prosperity of the Serbian community, but also in Serbia's improved international credibility, which, among other, led to the opening of the first chapters.

Đurić said that the Serbian Government and Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić have achieved results that underpin our future and also that without the patience, the efforts and the understanding of the people in Kosovo and Metohija Serbia would not have been able to boast such a result.

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija noted that the Community of Serbian Municipalities (CSM) has to become a reality in 2016, and an efficient public service available to the citizens of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija. Calling for the unity of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, Đurić said that hard political and diplomatic efforts are ahead in order to make CSM more effective and powerful.

"I do not invite you to the unity and mutual respect on account of political pluralism and the dynamics of political life within the Serb community in Kosovo and Metohija, but for unity in defense of our national interests," said Đurić, adding that one of the objectives of the Office in the upcoming year will be to downsize and optimize the number of beneficiaries using the budget of Serbia, in order to provide greater assistance to persons who actually do live and work in Kosovo and Metohija. This will, Đurić explained, reflect on those who for the past 15 years have enjoyed the privileges but have not lived in Kosovo and Metohija. "It’s essential that the taxpayers' money be distributed in a fairer manner, so that they reach those who are most in need, and it is our compatriots who really live in Kosovo and Metohija," Đurić said.