Đurić: On This Day 22 Years Ago, an Unprecedented Pogrom Against Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija Began

“In just a few hours, hundreds of our villages were burned, and dozens of our churches and monasteries were destroyed. At least four to five thousand of our compatriots were expelled from their homes, from their centuries-old hearths, while at least eight of our people lost their lives and many more were injured. Twenty-two years later, not only has no one been held accountable for these crimes, but the ideology that views Serbs as part of the problem—as some kind of inferior group that should be expelled—remains present in political life,” Đurić stated.

According to him, Serbia believes in the opposite—namely, in a different future for both Serbs and Albanians, grounded in cooperation.

“We remember what happened and we remember our victims. We must not forget that there are ongoing tendencies to appropriate and endanger our Christian heritage in various ways even today. Therefore, I am grateful to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Senate, Ms. Stefania Craxi, who today in Trieste, at an event marking the 30th anniversary of the Central European Initiative, publicly spoke about the position of our people and the Serbian Orthodox Church, mentioning Patriarch Porfirije and the overall situation of our people in Kosovo and Metohija,” Đurić emphasized.

The head of Serbian diplomacy pointed out that an increasing number of people worldwide understand that a policy in which one people—in this case, the Serbian people—is subjected to persecution is unacceptable.

“I believe it is important that we continue with diplomatic outreach, explanations, and dedicated efforts to present our side of the story. Let me reiterate: our goal is not to cultivate a victimhood narrative or build our future upon it, but we must raise awareness beyond our borders about what we have endured. If we fail to do so, others will construct a narrative portraying us as perpetrators and themselves as victims, and we will remain trapped in that vicious circle,” the Minister explained.

He added that what occurred was a tragedy for all involved and that it is necessary to turn a new page, while remembering the victims and never forgetting the burned churches, monasteries, and the hatred that was directed against the Serbian people—and which some are still prepared to express today.

“Serbia today is far better equipped to protect its state and national interests, thanks to the policies of President Vučić and the Government. This was evident in recent days, when some of the most severe scenarios for our people in Kosovo and Metohija—including their administrative expulsion—were avoided,” Minister Đurić concluded.