American Ambassador: Relations between US and Serbia are strong

Ambassador of the United States of America (SHBA) to Serbia Christopher Hill said Serbia and America are like two friends who have divided their ways in the past, but now they are together again and his message is that Serbia's success is in the US interest.

Hill, pending July 4th, U.S. Independence Day, stressed that “each friend talks about the past and the next about the future”, but the important thing is that they be together again and show respect and understanding.

Our bilateral relations are complex, but there is no doubt they are ever advancing faster. I have never considered patience a particular virtue, and this is seen from the fact that the Fourth of July festival is celebrated on June 29,”, Hill said.

Hill said strong relations between the US and Serbia are important for all and that they should contribute to peace and security in this region, which is important to Europe, as well as to overcoming past problems and trying for a better future.

Our co-operation has deep foundations, based on mutual trust and values. In diplomacy faith is especially important, because you are worth the worth of your”, Hill stressed and added that there will still be differences that some will stubbornly insist on, but it is important to overcome these types of difficulties.

Speaking of economic co-operation, Hill reminded important technological companies operating in Serbia, such as NCR or Oracle at the Kragujevc Data Centre.

“Air Serbia tied us even to a flight to Chicago and now people from Denver can easily reach Serbia, but some people need a little more space because of our feet”, Hill said, alluding to NBA's best basketball player, Nikola Jokiq.

Hill also stressed the very good co-operation of the Ohio National Guard with Serbia, the Platinum Wolfe exercise and the security of Humvee vehicles for the Serbian Army, as well as stated that this morning he has participated in sending a contingent of Serbian soldiers to a peacekeeping mission in which they will be together with American soldiers.

“E knows that both in Serbia and the US sometimes there is a lot of politics, but no one would live in a country without politics. Let's find the way to advance, foster a more prosperous, stronger democracy, it is necessary to make difficult, bold decisions, compromise and rightfully respect the right to another” opinion, Hill said.

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, ministers in Serbia's Government, representatives of the opposition, the business community, the diplomatic body, religious communities and the media participated.