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Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US Department of State signed

Belgrade, 5 January 2023

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic and US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill signed today a Memorandum of Understanding between the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Department of State.

Dacic said at a joint press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Serbia believes that the intensity of mutual contacts with the US should be increased, including visits, both in Washington and in Belgrade.

We welcome the fact that Counselor of the US Department of State Derek Chollet is coming to Serbia on 12 January. Of course, we would also look forward to a visit from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This would confirm the determination of the current American administration to develop partnership relations, Dacic said.

He pointed out that he is also satisfied with the level of economic cooperation with the USA, which has exceeded one billion dollars, and thanked Ambassador Hill for presenting assessments that can encourage investors to come to Serbia.

It is of great importance that more than 30,000 workers are employed by American companies in Serbia, he noted.

Speaking about the Memorandum of Understanding, the Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that in this way cooperation between the two ministries will be established when it comes to the exchange of employees.

We see this arrangement as another opportunity to improve bilateral relations and better understanding of foreign policy services. It is about the temporary assignment of a liaison officer of our ministry to the appropriate directorate of the State Department, explained the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Hill expressed satisfaction with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the appointment of the liaison officer, a position for a Serbian diplomat who would work in the US Department of State.

We think this is a real opportunity for our ministries to get closer and to get to know your diplomats better. I think Serbia has a tradition of good diplomats, Hill said.

The US Ambassador indicated that he had discussed with Dacic the various issues facing the two countries and expressed his satisfaction that there is a common vision of the problem.

It is obvious that there are many things that need to be done in the world regarding issues that are very important for both Serbia and the USA, the US ambassador pointed out.

On this occasion, Dacic announced that he and Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue Tomislav Zigmanov will attend the Christmas reception of the Serbian National Council (SNV) tomorrow, 6 January in Zagreb.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), Patriarch Porfirije, will also attend the event, as well as that representatives of the Croatian Government are expected to attend.

Apart from that event, no bilateral meetings are scheduled. We should try to look for common interests between Serbia and Croatia. We need to discuss the differences related to the past in one way, and the other is to look for the lowest possible common denominator for future relations, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Also, Dacic announced that on Friday, 13 January, a traditional reception for the diplomatic corps will be organised at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.