Slovak Minister: Lajcak Doing a Good Job in Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue

Ivica Dacic, Juraj Blanar , Rome, Feb. 5 2024 (mfa.gov.rs)

Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar said on Oct. 18 that Bratislava would not change its decision not to recognize the independence of Kosovo, describing as positive the European Union’s special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak’s contribution to talks between the two parties.

During a visit to Belgrade, Blanar addressed reporters together with his Serbian counterpart, Marko Djuric, saying that “Pristina’s unilateral steps have undermined the Dialogue.” “We support the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. Lajcak is one of the best experts on the Balkans, and a major part of his political and diplomatic career has been devoted to the Balkans. Pristina’s unilateral steps undermine the Dialogue, including a move to ban the use of the Serbian dinar in Kosovo, and disrespecting the agreement to set up the Community of Serb Municipalities,” the Slovak minister said.

Blanar also said that Slovakia wanted to support the integration of the Western Balkans, especially Serbia, calling for the opening and closure of Cluster 3 in Serbia’s accession negotiations with the European Union, “so that what the EU has promised Belgrade can be fulfilled.” “Otherwise, Serbian citizens will lose their motivation, in the belief that the EU does not want them.”

Djuric said that Slovakia was a true and honest friend to Serbia and thanked it for support with regard “major national issues, including Kosovo and European integrations.” “Our friendship is not based only on topics of national importance, but it also involves economic areas. Bilateral trade has reached EUR1.2 billion a year, and this figure could be much higher,” the Serbian foreign minister said.