Đurić: Genocide Claims Are Baseless and Politically Motivated

At Tuesday’s session of the United Nations Security Council, Serbian Acting Foreign Minister Marko Đurić rejected allegations from Pristina accusing Serbia of committing genocide in Kosovo, calling the narrative baseless and politically motivated.

The session was convened to present the latest report on the work of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), covering the period from September 2024 to March 2025. It was attended by both Đurić and Kosovo’s Acting Foreign Minister, Donika Gërvalla. The report was introduced by UNMIK Head Caroline Ziadeh.

Sharp Exchanges, No Dialogue

Đurić voiced concern over Gërvalla’s address, which included sharp criticism of both Serbia and UNMIK, including calls to reassess the mission’s role in Kosovo. He said the tone of her remarks undermined any effort to foster dialogue.

“I didn’t hear a single word of commitment to dialogue or to implementing the agreements made under EU mediation,” Đurić told the Council. “Instead, we heard serious accusations against my government and against UNMIK. That is unacceptable and sends a deeply troubling message about the attitude toward the United Nations mission.”

He criticized Gërvalla’s repeated claims of genocide, insisting they were unfounded and deployed for political gain.

„Genocide“ Claims Dismissed as Politically Motivated

“The term ‘genocide’ should never be used lightly or manipulated for political and sensationalist purposes,” Đurić said.

“These kinds of sweeping allegations, unsupported by evidence, are deeply irresponsible and jeopardize any chance of progress and normalization between Serbs and Albanians, as well as between Belgrade and Pristina.”

He further warned against allowing one side to monopolize the victim narrative, saying that crimes committed against the Serbian population are routinely ignored.

Citing Demographics and Past Abuses

Đurić highlighted what he called the “ethnic cleansing” of Serbs from Kosovo, noting that ethnic Albanians now make up over 90 percent of the population. He claimed that more than 200,000 Serbs were expelled from Kosovo by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), citing reports from UNMIK and other international monitoring missions.

“Serbs have for decades been victims of crimes, forced from their ancestral homes due to intimidation, discrimination, and threats,” he said.

“The greatest victims in Kosovo and Metohija are innocent civilians, regardless of ethnicity. We cannot allow one side to assume the exclusive role of victim while ignoring all crimes committed against the Serbian population.”

Unfulfilled Obligations and Ongoing Incidents

The Serbian foreign minister also criticized Kosovo for failing to meet international obligations. He referred to conditions outlined in a report by UN Special Representative Dora Bakoyannis, which, he said, include returning land to the Serbian Orthodox monastery in Dečani and establishing the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities (ASM).

He accused Pristina of continued illegal expropriation of Serbian-owned land and failing to take meaningful steps toward reconciliation.

Đurić also referenced two recent flashpoints: the Banjska incident in September 2023 and an attack on the Ibar-Lepenac canal in November 2024. In both cases, he said Serbia condemned the violence and called for full investigations, but received no cooperation from Pristina.

A Swipe at Comments on Serbia’s Internal Affairs

Đurić took issue with Gërvalla’s remarks on recent student protests in Serbia, suggesting they were an inappropriate attempt to interfere in the country’s internal political affairs.

“It is good to hear that representatives from Pristina are interested in Serbia’s political life,” he said sarcastically.

“But accusations and insults directed at President Vučić are unwelcome. If Pristina wants to participate in our political processes, it should do so transparently and within the proper institutional framework—not by mudslinging at UN Security Council meetings.”