Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia

We are equally surprised by the response of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, which was provided to some media outlets concerning the participation of Serbian representatives at the Bled Strategic Forum, thereby contributing to the dissemination of ill-intentioned disinformation. We believe that such an approach sends a message inconsistent with the partnership and friendship that our two countries have been building, while at the same time creating the impression of an attempt at indirect interference in Serbia’s domestic political debate, which is certainly undesirable.

At the aforementioned event, the Republic of Serbia was represented at a high level by the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Marko Đurić. Any attempt to diminish, relativize, or misrepresent the participation of the Republic of Serbia in this regional gathering undermines the credibility of the Forum itself.

We particularly emphasize that the claims suggesting that the President of the Republic of Serbia requested to participate in the Forum are inaccurate and inappropriate. Such insinuations are aimed at distorting the facts and damaging the reputation of the institution of the President.

We rightly expect recognition of the fact that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia actively participated in the work of the Forum, within the framework of his numerous diplomatic and intensive foreign policy activities, which confirm the importance and standing of the Republic of Serbia in international relations.

Serbia will continue to contribute to regional and good-neighborly cooperation, while making it clear that it does not accept interference in its domestic political decisions, nor the relativization of the role of its representatives at international and regional gatherings.