Christofer Hill: I am Worried By Numerous Current Issues in Serbia and the Balkans

Christopher Hill(Commons.wikimedia.org /Chatham House)

Christofer Hill, the nominee for the United States ambassador in Belgrade, has told the U.S. Senate that there are numerous issues concerning Serbia and the Balkans which he finds worrisome.

During his hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee late on Dec. 14 - which is the first step in confirming Hill's new appointment -- he stated that Belgrade's attitude toward Bosnia and Herzegovina will be crucial to further relations between the U.S. and Serbia.

"First and foremost, it is important that we hold clear talks with the government in Belgrade, that we persuade them to understand that the level of our efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Western Balkans will remain quite serious. We will carefully monitor who is helping things move in the right direction, and who is not. Bosnia is a key issue in our future cooperation with Serbia," Hill said.

With regards to resolving the Kosovo issue, Hill stated that there is a "frustrating lack of progress in the negotiations," and added that to become an EU member Serbia must normalize its relations with Kosovo.

"The EU has clearly told Serbia that it does not want to import the problems that candidates have with their neighbors and that good neighborly relations are necessary," Hill recalled, adding that the U.S. strongly supports the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue mediated by the EU - viewing this as "the best chance to overcome great differences."

"Mutual recognition is the best way to progress," Hill stated, repeating the stance of U.S. President Joseph Biden.