Minister Đurić meets with Director for Continental Europe at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Marko Đurić, met today with Brice Roquefeuil, Director for Continental Europe at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic. The two officials discussed the further strengthening of political relations between Serbia and France, the challenges faced by the Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija, Serbia’s path toward EU membership, and key geopolitical issues.

Emphasizing the continuity of excellent cooperation and the exceptional bilateral ties between Serbia and France, both sides agreed that regular high-level political dialogue plays a significant role in deepening their relations. Mr. Roquefeuil conveyed greetings from French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, along with the expectation that a meeting between the two counterparts would take place in the near future.

Minister Đurić expressed his appreciation for France’s consistent support and active engagement in helping Serbia advance its strategic foreign policy objective — European integration — and reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to aligning with the EU in the fields of foreign and security policy.

Minister Đurić also briefed his guest on the latest pressures being exerted by Albin Kurti’s administration on the Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija. He emphasized that the unjustified arrest of Igor Popović — Assistant Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and member of the Government of Serbia’s negotiation team — represents an additional step toward obstructing the dialogue and destabilizing the region as a whole.

In this context, the Serbian Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs for its statement issued earlier today, in which France voiced hope for the swift release of Mr. Popović, who remains in detention in Gnjilane.

Minister Đurić reiterated that securing the immediate release of Mr. Popović remains a top priority, and that the competent Serbian authorities will undertake all necessary political and legal steps against those responsible, while remaining firmly committed to preserving peace and stability.

The discussion also covered a range of regional issues, with both sides expressing satisfaction with the strategic partnership between Serbia and France, as well as the dynamic development of trade exchange and French investments in Serbia.