Djuric: We expect to open Cluster 3 in EU talks in January or February

BELGRADE - Serbia will continue to pursue an independent and consistent foreign policy, Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Thursday, noting that he expected Cluster 3 in Serbia's EU talks to be opened in January or February.

"We will also adhere to the UN Charter and international law, because that shields and protects us. We will be seeking excellent relations with all, and we will be cooperating especially closely with those who are ready to hear our interests and take them into account. We will be focusing on creating economic opportunities for Serbia," Djuric said in K1 TV.

Asked to name a few major diplomatic successes for Serbia in 2024, he said the fight against a UN resolution on Srebrenica had been a great success.

"That resolution represented a serious threat, but in just three weeks, with engagement from our entire diplomatic team, we managed to turn the situation around and achieve a very significant victory on a very sensitive subject," Djuric said.

He said thwarting an attempt by the so-called Kosovo to join the Council of Europe was another success.

"There was a real threat of 'Kosovo' becoming a member because they already had a majority, but thanks to intensive diplomatic contacts and engagement, we succeeded in stopping that," Djuric said.

He added that progress on the EU path was also a success.

"Serbia's further progress regarding the EU was a key priority for our diplomacy in the past year, because that is a Serbian state and national interest. We have advanced our relations with the EU and, for a third consecutive year, we had a positive assessment by the European Commission for Serbia's further progress towards membership," Djuric said.