Đurić: Continuing the Partnership with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and Metohija

24. Jul 2025.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Marko Đurić, met today with the newly appointed Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and Metohija (OMiK), Gerard McGurk, to discuss the increasingly difficult situation in the southern Serbian province and the systematic pressures faced by the Serbian population.

Minister Đurić drew particular attention to the unlawful arrest of Igor Popović, Assistant Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, characterizing the case as part of an organized and politically motivated campaign targeting representatives of Serbian institutions and all those advocating peacefully and lawfully for the rights of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija.

He further warned of the escalating actions undertaken by the authorities in Priština, including physical assaults, threats, and home raids, which aim to intimidate the Serbian population and create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. These pressures, he noted, have led to the displacement of nearly 20 percent of the Serb population from northern Kosovo and Metohija in recent times.

Đurić also underlined that the recent decision by the Priština authorities to commence construction of two bridges over the Ibar River further intensifies pressure on the Serb community and is perceived as a direct security threat to the predominantly Serbian population in the northern part of the province.

Reaffirming Serbia’s commitment to dialogue and the implementation of the Brussels Agreement, Đurić stressed that Priština’s unilateral actions are seriously undermining the process and that for over 12 years it has consistently evaded its obligation to establish the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities.

He called on the OSCE Mission to urgently take steps, in line with its mandate, to halt further escalation and ensure the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Serbian people.

Minister Đurić reiterated that Serbia will continue to provide institutional, legal, and diplomatic support to its people, insisting on full implementation of international obligations that guarantee their safety, rights, and dignity.

Finally, Minister Đurić congratulated Mr. McGurk on assuming his new post and expressed hope that his tenure would be marked by the continued strengthening of constructive cooperation.