Velebit: Strategic dialogue with the U.S. a historic milestone in Serbia–U.S. relations

The Executive Director of the Pupin Initiative, Vuk Velebit, stated that the strategic dialogue launched between Serbia and the United States represents the culmination of several years of intensified bilateral relations and Washington's recognition of Serbia as a credible and important U.S. partner, because the United States understands that there can be neither stability nor prosperity in the Western Balkans without Serbia, Telegraf reported.

In an interview with Tanjug, Velebit said that the dialogue, launched on Friday, is a historic development in Serbia–U.S. relations because, for the first time, bilateral ties are being defined at the strategic level. According to him, this also sends a positive signal to American investors. When considering whether to invest in Serbia, they will see that the United States maintains a strategic dialogue with Serbia, which will serve as an additional assurance that investing in Serbia is a sound decision.

He added that the Serbian administration has also come to better understand the importance of strengthening relations with Washington, as this is in Serbia's interest given that the United States will continue to be a key actor in the region. For that reason, he said, the strategic dialogue is highly significant for both countries.

“From our perspective, it is important because Serbia will have a reserved seat in Washington, along with open and direct channels of communication with the U.S. administration. At the same time, the strategic dialogue opens up an entirely new range of opportunities in Serbia–U.S. relations, particularly in the fields of energy, security, and the economy,” Velebit said, as quoted by Telegraf.

Asked in which area the first tangible results of the strategic dialogue could be expected, Velebit assessed that the energy sector is likely to see the earliest progress, noting that it is also a priority for the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump with regard to relations with Europe and Eastern Europe.

“We have seen major announced U.S. investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Poland, so I believe that energy is a natural area for Serbia–U.S. cooperation and something that is of great importance to Serbia in its ongoing process of energy diversification. Serbia must no longer allow itself to remain dependent on Russia for gas supplies. I believe we should regain control and secure a broader range of supply partners, as that is the best long-term approach,” Velebit said.

He added that, alongside energy, security and defense would also be key topics because regional stability remains an important issue and a strategic interest for the U.S. administration, and Serbia has the potential to make a significant contribution in that regard.

Responding to a question as to whether the strategic dialogue could influence the U.S. approach toward Serbia on the issue of Kosovo, Velebit said that, although there should be no illusion that the U.S. administration will fundamentally change its position on Kosovo, what could change is a greater understanding of the religious and human rights of the Serbs living there.

In his assessment, whenever the Serbian community in Kosovo faces challenges or problems, the strategic dialogue with the United States can provide a more direct and open channel of communication between Belgrade and Washington, enabling the Serbian administration to draw attention to developments on the ground and to the actions taken by the Pristina authorities.

“We have seen that, over the past several years, there have been numerous unilateral actions by the Pristina administration and Albin Kurti's government, and there is considerable dissatisfaction in Washington with what has been taking place in Pristina. I do not believe the United States will fundamentally change its position, nor is that a realistic expectation. However, when it comes to protecting our people, it is extremely important that we cooperate with the United States,” Velebit concluded.