State Department: U.S.-Serbia Strategic Dialog Confirms Shared Goal of Strengthening Partnership

mfa.gov.rs

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric led the first U.S.-Serbia Strategic Dialog, which confirms the shared goal of strengthening the partnership between the two countries, the State Department said on July 17.

The Strategic Dialog, held in Washington on July 17, confirmed increased bilateral cooperation to promote peace, security and prosperity as the two countries marked 145 years of diplomatic relations.

The United States and Serbia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy infrastructure and regional energy security. The United States also welcomed Serbia’s preliminary decision to proceed with the Djerdap III, or Iron Gate III, hydropower project as the first project defined under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Energy. The project represents a major investment in regional energy infrastructure and a step toward a more energy-independent Serbia, the U.S. Department said in the release.

The United States and Serbia reaffirmed their joint commitment to maintaining regional peace and security and pledged to increase the tempo of military-to-military engagements. Serbia has requested to purchase U.S. defense articles, which will help increase the interoperability of the two countries’ armed forces and build on the strong relationships developed during bilateral and multilateral exercises and joint peacekeeping missions. The State Department also announced that it has allocated USD1.5 million for continuing cooperation on civilian demining. The U.S. reiterated its commitment to participating in Belgrade’s Expo 2027, described in the statement as a historic event and the first Specialized Exposition to be held in the Western Balkans.