Kozarev confers with Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic

Secretary General Kozarev extended a warm welcome to Mr. Bartek and expressed appreciation for his visit, which followed shortly after the incident at the photo exhibition during the “Slovak National Celebrations” in Bački Petrovac and the attempts to politicize this event and provoke tensions between the Serbian and Slovak communities.

He emphasized that the traditionally friendly relations between Serbia and Slovakia are so strong that they cannot be undermined, noting in particular the great value of the Slovak community in Serbia, which is so well integrated into society that they are not regarded as a minority, but rather as neighbors and friends.

Mr. Bartek conveyed the greetings of President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanár, stating that Serbia can serve as a positive example of the treatment of minorities, and that the Government of the Republic of Serbia and President Vučić have demonstrated leadership in the right direction.

Secretary General Kozarev expressed gratitude for Slovakia’s clear position that Serbia belongs in the European Union, which is also Serbia’s key foreign policy priority.

He also underlined Serbia’s deep appreciation for Slovakia’s support on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as its principled stance on safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia and upholding international law. He briefed his interlocutor on the increasingly difficult security situation for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and on the provocations by Albin Kurti, expressing hope that the renewed engagement of Slovak military and security personnel in the KFOR mission would contribute to reducing tensions on the ground.

Secretary General Kozarev and Mr. Bartek also discussed the current geopolitical situation, noting that Serbia and Slovakia share common positions and approach many issues from the same standpoint.