Blagojevic: Serbia could be to America in the Balkans what Israel is to the Middle East

Rod Blagojevic, a close associate of U.S. President Donald Trump and former Governor of Illinois, believes there is now a unique opportunity for developing a new strategic partnership between Serbia and the U.S., as the new U.S. president admires Serbia and seeks to change American foreign policy.

Speaking on TV Prva, Blagojevic noted that about a million Serbs live in the U.S., a relatively small group compared to other ethnic communities, but one that is very active and helped Trump win the presidential election.

"There are many Serbs in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, all states that decided the last election. This has enabled the Serbs in the U.S. to now have a president who admires the Serbian people. Trump has always spoken about how much he admires the Serbian people," Blagojevic said.

He expressed his conviction that Trump's arrival at the helm of the U.S. represents a unique, historical opportunity for a new beginning in Serbian-American relations.

Today he had the opportunity to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and conveyed that he sees similarities with Trump.

"Both are not only tall but also smart and strong, driven by a desire to solve problems," Blagojevic noted.

He emphasized that there is now a unique opportunity to develop a new strategic partnership.

"The previous administration, led by the Democratic Party of which I was a member, was hostile towards Serbia. Bill Clinton bombed Serbia and thereby helped another country ruled by gangsters. I say this not as someone of Serbian descent, but as what powerful Americans close to Clinton have stated. Trump not only admires Serbia but also wants to dramatically change American foreign policy. In the late '90s when we, the Americans, along with NATO, bombed Serbia, Trump, then a civilian, was against it. This is a unique opportunity, as Vucic and Trump are made for each other," Blagojevic stated.

He is convinced that Trump's popularity in Serbia will undoubtedly continue to grow as he works on improving relations between the two countries.

"This is an opportunity for a new beginning. My goal, and I am confident it will be so, is for the new administration to view the Balkans in a new way," Blagojevic said, pointing out that Serbia and the Balkans were not a priority in U.S. foreign policy due to competition with other major powers.

He stated that his dream, as an American Serb, would be for U.S. policy towards Serbia to change dramatically, and he sees no reason why this should not happen.

"Serbia could be to America in the Balkans what Israel is to the Middle East—an ally that shares the same priorities," Blagojevic explained.

He said that Serbia is a rising country, completely different from the one he visited as a congressman in 1999.

"The economy has changed drastically. Today unemployment is only eight percent, and salaries have increased. If such a thing had happened in America, we would declare Trump king. This is an economic miracle, and I am proud of Serbia, the country where my father was born," said Blagojevic.

Asked about Trump's decision regarding USAID, Blagojevic said he supports it because the organization misused American citizens' funds for things not favorable to the U.S.

"I am pleased that Trump has struck what Elon Musk called a 'hornet's nest'. I hope the priorities of USAID will be different, and that it will help Serbia more. The only way USAID will continue to operate will be under Trump's conditions, which will be better for both the U.S. and Serbia," Blagojevic is convinced.

He advised that Serbs should be united and that if so, their future would be bright.

"With such a moment of Trump's administration coming to power, which is reevaluating its policies, especially foreign policy, I think the future will be bright," said Rod Blagojevic.