Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić spoke in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about a quick start to a strategic dialogue between the two countries, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
“This is the first time in many years that the space here is wide open for Serbia. We discussed that the strategic dialogue between Serbia and the U.S. should begin very soon, raising our relations to a level we have not had in previous generations,” Đurić said after the meeting, noting that the meeting took place in an extraordinary atmosphere.
Đurić said that there is a high awareness on both sides that there is now a historic opportunity for relations, which have gone through different phases and oscillations, to be built on completely new foundations.
“Serbia, as an independent country that conducts its foreign policy independently and does not take orders from anyone, which is very well known in the international community, appears as a natural partner to an administration, such as President Trump’s administration, which wants to establish cooperation with countries in our part of the world on a new and fair basis,” Đurić assessed.
Đurić particularly emphasized that Secretary of State Rubio conveyed a clear position that President Donald Trump and the entire American administration want better relations with Serbia, the statement said.
That position and positive atmosphere, as Đurić assessed, spilled over into all conversations during his stay in Washington.
Đurić said that there is great interest in deepening economic cooperation through concrete projects in the fields of energy, infrastructure, new technologies, science, as well as in the fields of education and culture.
“I think this is an opportunity we should use because an administration led by President Trump also needs allies and friends, and Serbia historically was that in the true sense of the word, and I believe it could be again,” Đurić said.
He said that during the meeting with Rubio, he requested the support of the U.S. Government for issues important to Serbia.
“We sought understanding for the difficulties we are facing in connection with the verdicts against Milorad Dodik and the pressures that the Republic of Srpska is facing, because the imposition of decisions by unelected representatives only adds fuel to the fire, as we have seen in recent days. Pressures – from politicians who are irresponsible and who want to remove, to dismiss those for whom the people in the Republic of Srpska voted – cannot contribute to a solution,” Đurić said, adding that he pointed out the importance of dialogue as the only way to solve problems.
Đurić said that the Serbian side had the opportunity to present its views to the highest leadership of the U.S. He also said that he believes that on the issue of Kosovo, they managed to convey “at least part of what” Serbs there are facing – pressures, persecution, taking over of institutions, even pressures on the patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
“The situation is such that it really requires the engagement of the international community to preserve stability,” Đurić said.
He said that, at the same time, in the conversations, Serbia was positioned as a country that is firmly committed to progress, preserving stability in the region – an anchor of stability in turbulent times and which as such should be supported in its efforts, as opposed to those who would like to drag the region into new divisions.
Đurić assessed that the treatment of the Serbian representatives during the visit was “truly a reflection of high respect and the ambition of the U.S. Government to build better relations with Serbia.”
“I am proud and this is one of the greatest honors I have experienced, especially as someone who worked here until recently as an ambassador, because with my team, with Ambassador Šutanovac and colleagues at the Embassy, I had the opportunity to work on opening that strategic dialogue,” Đurić said.
A visit of “considerable importance”
He assessed that with such an achievement, the American system will classify Serbia into a completely different group of countries in terms of approach and treatment when it comes to economy, security, and politics. He assessed that this is a “serious step forward” and that it is good that it is happening in turbulent times, pointing to the situation in the Republic of Srpska and Kosovo.
Đurić said that Serbia needs people who will have an ear and understanding for its position, and assessed that this visit was “of considerable importance” for Serbia’s position.
He also said that the topic of customs duties was part of the conversation and expressed expectations that the improved political relations between Serbia and the U.S. will have a positive effect and that the relevant teams will continue negotiations on that topic.
Đurić said that the problem of tariffs is a problem that affects all countries and that Serbia will continue to work on solving it.
Đurić stated that it is of extreme importance for Serbia that American investments continue to come, as well as that within the strategic dialogue, issues such as procedures for avoiding double taxation and other important topics be resolved, with the goal that the cooperation between the Serbian and American economies continues to flourish as has been the case in the previous few years.
He reminded that the public may not be sufficiently aware of the fact that there is already a billion-dollar exchange in the field of IT and software between the two countries on an annual basis.
During his visit to the U.S., Đurić also spoke with the U.S. envoy for hostage issues, Adam Boller, from whom he requested help for the release of a Serbian citizen who is in the Gaza Strip.
“I jokingly said that this is a summit of two Marks, but I was not joking when I suggested that President Trump visit our country, which would be the first visit of an American president to Belgrade and Serbia in 40 years. The doors for that are wide open,” Đurić concludes in an interview for RTS.
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Source: Nova.rs; RTS, Photo: Jim WATSON / AFP / Profimedia