Đurić: Serbia is determined to implement reforms as soon as possible for EU membership

At the ministerial meeting of the "Friends of the Western Balkans" group in Rome, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Marko Đurić, stated that Serbia has sent a strong message of being open for business, committed to implementing necessary reforms for European Union membership, and working in the interest of its citizens to bolster its economy. He emphasized the vast opportunities in regional cooperation.

"Serbia is chairing the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence and the Central European Initiative. We are actively contributing to the development of our region and have discussed prospects for 2025," Đurić highlighted.

According to him, this year could be a turning point for regional cooperation, given our world's demand for greater adaptability.

"We live in a world where we must strive for growth, and Serbia, led by President Vučić and a dynamic government team focusing on economic development and new technologies, can be a growth engine in our part of Europe, and indeed, it already is," Minister Đurić noted.

The Chief of Serbian diplomacy pointed out that today's meeting was an opportunity to showcase Serbia in a positive light at an important forum, in the presence of the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the new European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, amid a renewed momentum for European integration.

"I had meetings with Mrs. Kallas and Ms. Kos, discussing our region's situation, Serbia's situation, and the relations between Belgrade and Pristina. I emphasized the importance of resolving our internal issues through dialogue and democratic methods, which will not hinder Serbia's economic and political progress, nor its path towards the European Union and creating a better climate in our region. We will continue to work on improving the living standards of our citizens," Đurić asserted.

Expressing satisfaction that Serbia was properly represented at such a complex gathering during a challenging time, Minister Đurić mentioned that discussions also covered the desire to see more ministers, European officials, businesses, youth, and various initiatives in Belgrade that foster connections.