Djuric: The Netherlands a crucial country for Serbia's EU integration

THE HAGUE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric, who is visiting the Netherlands, said on Monday evening the goal of the trip was to create a different perception of Serbia in a country whose support was crucial for EU integration.

Djuric said it was the first visit to the country by a Serbian FM in years.

He said the visit was also vital for economic cooperation with the Netherlands, one of the largest investors in Serbia, employing thousands of people, and for regional issues where Serbia also needed greater understanding from the Netherlands regarding the position of Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija, the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

"We also discussed the current situation in our country because we do not want any domestic events to overshadow the phenomenal achievements our nation has realised over the past decade, which are seldom discussed in Western Europe despite the fact that our country has completely transformed the paradigm of its economy, growing from 32 bln to over 70 bln euros in annual GDP, and with a strong and clear message that Serbia is coming to the European table not to ask or beg for anything but as a country with character, with seven million hardworking people who can significantly contribute to the European community and who have, after all, been here for centuries," Djuric was quoted as saying.

He highlighted that the discussions had also covered specific ways in which Serbia assisted prevention of illegal migration, a highly significant political issue in the Netherlands.

"Serbia has achieved remarkable results, stopping more than 70 pct of illegal migration across the Balkan route last year. This positions us among the European leaders on this topic, which is crucial for the current generation of politicians here in the Netherlands," the minister said.

On the first day of the visit, Djuric met with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Christophe Kamp.

"Regarding Kosovo-Metohija, I emphasised that, in light of the upcoming elections, Serbs are facing discrimination and the fact that, although the constitution of so-called Kosovo, or as we say, Kosovo-Metohija, guarantees that Serbs can choose their representatives in the government, this is not allowed today. I also mentioned the fact that the number of Serbs on the electoral roll has been reduced by thousands between two electoral cycles and we initiated many other topics - such as the denial of the right for Serbs to receive salaries, pensions, and other entitlements from Serbia," Djuric said.

Djuric said he had had a very important discussion at a Dutch institute dealing with international politics and diplomacy.

"We presented to the academic community Serbia's position in a rapidly changing world, our balanced policy which ensures that we maintain excellent relations with the European Union, as well as very good relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We also discussed Serbia's energy security and how Serbia is ensuring a secure and protected energy source in an era where energy consumption is rapidly increasing due to modern technologies," he said.

"I think it is very important that we strive to change the image held by the political class here in the Netherlands, an image that has been overshadowed by events in our region during the 1990s. This is no simple task, but it is one that could change the stance of one of the key Western countries towards Serbia," Djuric said.

On Tuesday, he will meet with Dutch counterpart Kasper Veldkamp, members of the lower house of the Dutch parliament and representatives of Dutch companies.

"We are fighting for Serbia's European perspective, for new jobs, and for a completely different relationship between the Netherlands and Serbia," he said.