Velebit: Good Serbia-US relations are in the interest of the region

The Executive Director of the Pupin Initiative, Vuk Velebit, emphasized that this initiative is the main platform for strengthening relations between Serbia and the United States, during an event presenting the Pupin Initiative’s proposal for establishing a strategic dialogue between Belgrade and Washington.

Velebit stated that they had been working on this initiative for the past few months.

"On the eve of marking the first anniversary of our initiative, which is tomorrow, we have become the main platform for strengthening relations between Serbia and the United States. The Pupin Forum, which we organized in Washington, is proof that improving relations with the US is possible. After 30 years, we want to be the driving force for positive change and connect Serbia with the West," Velebit said.

He added that good relations between Serbia and the United States are beneficial for the region.

"If America's interest is peace and development in this region, then that is a good starting point for developing relations. Over the past 30 years, there has been a vacuum. It is possible to change the status quo, and this proposal to establish a strategic dialogue is proof of that. We presented it to Alexander Kasanof and in Washington. We received positive feedback and a signal that both administrations are open to dialogue," Velebit said.

Assistant Professor Dr. Milan Krstic, who was the lead researcher for the strategic dialogue proposal, emphasized that the document contains concrete proposals for establishing a strategic dialogue between the United States and Serbia.

"We propose establishing a strategic dialogue between the US and Serbia, which involves communication with clear goals. There are many advantages for Serbia: Serbia can strengthen its international position because it follows a foreign policy based on four pillars, collaborating with both the East and the West. Formally, we do not have a strategic partnership with Washington," Krstic said.

He added that by improving bilateral relations, Serbia would have an opportunity to emphasize its interests.

"In our region, the US has a decisive political influence on many issues. I believe that US pressure would be the main force in changing the situation in Kosovo, establishing the Community of Serb Municipalities, and altering Albin Kurti's policies," Krstic stressed.

He added that a strategic dialogue with the US would also provide an opportunity for strengthening the economy and increasing American investments.

"This is also an opportunity to deepen cooperation in the security sector. Our military cooperates with the US through the Partnership for Peace. This is important for us because of Kosovo and Metohija and KFOR, as well as the fact that the Serbian people in Kosovo are very endangered due to Albin Kurti's policies. Serbia must deepen its cooperation with the US, and this does not change our policy of neutrality," the professor noted.

Krstic mentioned that strategic cooperation is also important for cultural exchange and collaboration with the United States.

"This strategic dialogue should be established in a special way – at a high level, to demonstrate its importance. A very important aspect is the existence of working groups that will monitor the implementation of the goals. Our goal is a strategic partnership and a long-term deepened partnership similar to the one Serbia has with China," Krstic concluded.