The US Ambassador to Serbia is trying to portray something that is not there
US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said Serbia and its citizens must determine their own security needs.
And also that if Serbia wants to join NATO, it will have to hold many difficult elections, but with the support of the United States, the PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“We are ready to support Serbia's desire to look to the future and see what it can achieve for itself as a NATO member. But I must emphasize that this issue will have to be resolved by Serbia itself... Just like with regard to Serbia’s desire to join the EU, in which we also support it,” Hill said, as reported by the Kosovo online portal.
In addition, during his speech at the conference “Serbia’s Position in the Euro-Atlantic Community”, which was held online at the Bulgarian Embassy, he noted that joining the EU means many difficult decisions. But if Serbia wanted to join NATO, it would also not be easy for it to make its choice, there would be many difficulties that it would have to go through, completing a huge number of procedures.
“We would help Serbia, but I want to emphasize again that it is not up to us,” Hill said.
He added that he is well aware of the historical relationship between the United States and Serbia, which has had great moments but also difficult situations. According to him, the current situation with Serbia is positive.
“We intend to do more together to build on this favorable situation. Today we are closer than in the past, and there is no doubt that Serbia's constant policy at the UN and voting to criticize and sincerely condemn the violation of Ukraine's independence are positions that we share and look forward to a relationship that will be tested in these difficult times,” – Hill emphasized.
The ambassador also added that the United States should not tell Serbia or anyone else how to choose their international interests in the future, but it is in the interests of the United States to work with Serbia.
“We are proud of the relationship we have developed with Serbia in previous years, which we intend to maintain. We are ready to move forward, as is Serbia, which is ready to move forward and work in a spirit of mutual respect,” Hill reasoned.
He also noted that US relations with Russia cannot be returned to what they were before February 24.
At the same time, the other day, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic clearly expressed his country’s position that Belgrade, unlike the EU, does not intend to join NATO.
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