News
02.03.2020. - 00:47
President Vučić on a working visit to the United States of America
President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić is staying on a two-day working visit to the United States of America, where he participates in the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to address the numerous participants of this gathering.
President Vučić met earlier today in Washington with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Special Representative for the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer, Former US Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby and CEO of the US International Finance Development Corporation Adam Boehler.
Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll
"Good meeting with Palmer. We discussed all the important issues from the region, exchanged views and opinions. America is showing increasing interest in the problems that exist across Southeastern Europe, and I think that this will be demonstrated through various aspects. I have high expectations after the meeting with Mr Adam Boehler, the man who runs the development finance corporation with a budget of USD 63 billion. For the first time, they have positioned the Western Balkans as a place to invest money. This is a great opportunity for Serbia. They want to invest in the economy, in our private sector, and this can considerably contribute to further economic progress and development of Serbia," President Vučić said. He noted that his address at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference holds a big responsibility and utmost importance, which is why he feels rather anxious.
Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll
"It is a great responsibility to speak and answer questions in front of nearly 20,000 people, representatives of Jews and America from around the globe. It is the most powerful and most influential organisation in the whole world, and they sublimate all the economic and political power of the modern world. We will try to present in the best possible manner the relations between Serbia and Israel, but also between Serbia and the United States of America. We will talk about everything we have done so far, and I will do my best to present it in the best possible way," said President Vučić, emphasising that this visit to Washington is essential because it serves as an opportunity to present our views to the most influential people in the world.
Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll
President Vučić addressed a conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and stressed that Serbs and Jews have always had good relations. He recalled that as early as 1917, Milenko Vesnić, a Yugoslav representative in Washington, supported the idea of forming a Jewish state, called Israel.
President Vučić also said that Serbs and Jews shared their fate in Jasenovac during World War II.
President Vučić also said that Serbs and Jews shared their fate in Jasenovac during World War II.
Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll
"We have supported, and we will support each other in the future," President Vučić said, adding that in 2016 Serbia was the first country in all of Europe to pass the Law on remedying the consequences of seizure of assets of Holocaust victims with no living legal heirs and has since paid about 30 million euros." He stated that Serbia adopted the Law on the 'Staro Sajmište' Memorial Center, where Serbs, Jews and Roma were also killed.
Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll
For the first time in history, one Serbian president spoke at a conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
On the second day of the working visit, President Vučić met in Washington DC with the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll
"I am grateful to US officials for their clarity, willingness to listen and receptive attitude towards our problems. During the entirety of our trip to the US, we were welcomed and always treated with respect – key to building better relations. I asked our host Mr. Pompeo to understand Serbia's position and support us as we work to strengthen our economy and improve our policies. We need America as an ally, and we are working together to slowly build up the relations of friendship and trust. As we continue to thrive, it is important that we continue to look to the future", said President Vučić after the meeting.
Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll
President Vučić also met with Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist to discuss improving bilateral relations and stronger military-technical cooperation with the USA as well as more joint activities and joint exercises with the US Army.
Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll
"It is Serbia's policy to protect ourselves. I believe in better relations with the Pentagon and the US Army, and we have had good talks," said President Vučić, adding that the US approach is no longer one-sided, but that it takes into account the interests of Serbia.
President Vučić met in Washington with Senator Ted Cruz, a member of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll
President Vučić said that he had numerous meetings in just 48 hours and that the Serbian delegation met with everyone who makes decisions about us.
"I think that these people do not want to make a foe from a small country like Serbia, but that they rather want to cooperate with Serbia. And it is up to us to use that. I am particularly pleased to see their greater interest in investing in our country and the region. I am full of optimism when it comes to further expansion of our economic cooperation," said President Vučić, adding that he also believes that they perceive Serbia today differently than just a few years and decades ago.
