Djuric receives Georgian deputy FM

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric received Georgian Deputy FM Teimuraz Janjalia in Belgrade on Wednesday, noting that Serbia and Georgia were connected by sincere friendship based on mutual trust and respect.

Djuric said there was great potential to boost bilateral cooperation, in the economy in particular, and added that the specialised EXPO 2027, to be hosted by Belgrade, could be an excellent opportunity to bolster economic ties, the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

Noting that the two countries were facing similar challenges, Djuric said Serbia extremely appreciated the cooperation with Georgia in the international arena.

The parties reiterated their firm support regarding mutual respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as regarding the two countries' respective affairs of national significance.

Speaking about the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, Djuric said unilateral decisions by the provisional self-government institutions in Pristina and Albin Kurti had dramatically violated the rights of the Serb community and that, as a result, a large number of Serbs had moved out of the province in the past year alone.

Such conduct by Pristina has been condemned by the entire international community because it is becoming clear to all that complete intimidation and expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo-Metohija is the sole objective of Kurti's policy, Djuric said.

He also said Serbia was at Georgia's disposal when it comes to sharing experiences and practices in EU integration, and noted that full EU membership was a strategic commitment of Serbia, the statement added.

Djuric noted that Serbia and Georgia would next year mark the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.