Hill term ends as US ambassador to Serbia

American diplomat Christopher Hill is finishing another mission in the Balkans this time his mandate as ambassador to Belgrade is ending. As impressions by farewell meetings with top Serbian officials and the mandate of the experienced diplomat are over, it is already being discussed who will take his place.

Christopher Hill handed the credentials to Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq, in late March 2022 and thus took office of ambassador. That was when the world was still in shock because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine - when major changes in the geopolitical plan began to take place.

In light of major world events, pressure on countries to line up on one side or another increased, but also key issues in the Balkans remained unresolved, dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia was blocked. These are the circumstances in which US President Joseph Beden “struck” Christopher Hill from retirement.

News of his appointment echoed in the region, as he was a familiar figure here because he himself had participated in various American missions in the Balkans. There was no need to ask much of his biography as is usually done with new ambassadors.

Christopher Hill was ambassador to Iraq, Korea, Poland and Skopje, but he is especially known as a member of the US negotiating team in Dayton. He also had a significant role as US envoy for Kosovo in diplomatic efforts that ended with negotiations in Rambouillet.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq, after his farewell meeting with Hill, said that over the past four years he has often met with him and that all issues have been discussed.

We haven't always agreed on everything, but we've had an open and honest approach”, Vuchic wrote on his Instagram account.

Christopher Hill has been talking about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue these days, while saying that the Government of Kosovo has the most blame that there has been no progress in dialogue.

He has said he hopes there will be more effort in Brussels' dialogue.

“I hope for more efforts in dialogue, especially in the European-led Brussels dialogue. Many of us are disappointed by the lack of progress, and in my opinion, most of the blame lies with the Government of Kosovo”, he has stated.