Djuric: Kurti politically unwelcome in Washington

BELGRADE - Serbian Ambassador to the US Marko Djuric said on Monday Pristina's PM Albin Kurti enjoyed no credibility in a considerable part of the Western public and was no longer able to monopolise US support, and added that, politically and practically, Kurti was unwelcome in Washington.

Speaking to Happy TV, Djuric said he had not noticed any visits to the US by ministers of the so-called Kosovo in recent months.

"As opposed to that, in the past three weeks, we had a business forum with PM Ana Brnabic, as well as an excellent visit by Minister for European Integration Tanja Miscevic. A visit by Minister of Science Jelena Begovic concluded yesterday, and she discussed advancement of scientific cooperation with the US," he said.

Many in Pristina are nervous because of Serbian lobbying in Washington, he said, adding that a differing opinion on Kosovo-Metohija had been heard in US Congress last week.

"Questions were asked about the position of Serbs, and a congressman insisted on an answer to the question when US officials will visit Serbs in the north of Kosovo-Metohija and when a Community of Serb Municipalities will be formed," Djuric noted.

He said people in the US who had "last heard of Serbia in the 1990s" were surprised by facts about the country's economic growth.

"I am fortunate to be serving in Washington in a time when Serbia is investing the most effort in changing its image and in building new relationships," Djuric said.