Strategic dialogue with the US could accelerate development of gas infrastructure and the "Djerdap 3" project

The establishment of a strategic dialogue between Serbia and the US represents a historic step forward in bilateral relations and opens up the possibility for Belgrade to have a direct channel of communication with Washington, according to Vuk Velebit of the Pupin Initiative. In the energy sector, it could accelerate the development of gas infrastructure, diversification of supply and implementation of major energy projects, such as the "Djerdap 3" pumped-storage hydropower plant, former Assistant Minister of Energy Rasa Kojcic and brokerage expert Branislav Jorgic said.

A new chapter has begun in relations between Serbia and the United States, according to Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, who launched the dialogue in Washington together with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Memorandums on cooperation in energy and education were signed during the first round of dialogue.

Speaking about the significance of establishing the strategic dialogue, Vuk Velebit described it as a turning point in relations between the two countries.

- This truly is a historic week in relations between Serbia and the United States. For the first time in history, relations between Serbia and the US have been elevated to a strategic level - Velebit said.

According to him, such a format of cooperation provides Belgrade with a permanent channel of communication with Washington.

- This will provide us with a reserved seat in Washington and the opportunity for Serbia's voice always to be heard and for us to have a partner we can call, regardless of which administration is in power - Velebit stated.

He also recalled that, at the same time, the US State Department announced that the strategic dialogue with Pristina remains suspended until progress is made in fulfilling obligations toward Serbs in Kosovo, which, in his assessment, represents a significant change in Washington's approach.

"Strategic dialogue does not erase differences, but allows Serbia to speak on its own behalf"

Commenting on the political significance of the new format of cooperation, Velebit said that it is natural for Serbia and the US not to share the same interests on every issue, but that the existence of an institutional mechanism for dialogue is important.

- There will always be differences between the interests of Serbia and the United States, and that is entirely normal. Differences in interests exist in every country's cooperation with another country, especially when it comes to cooperation between a smaller country, such as ours, and a major global power such as the United States. However, we should no longer be guided by defeatism and things that happened in the past. Of course, we should never forget what happened in the past, but we should not allow defeatism to prevail and prevent us from looking toward the future - Velebit said.

He stressed that the strategic dialogue would allow Serbia to present its positions directly to the US administration.

- The strategic dialogue will allow our voice to be heard in Washington and for Serbs to speak on their own behalf, rather than having others decide on our behalf or shape our position in Washington - Velebit emphasized.

In his assessment, such a political framework could also have a positive impact on economic cooperation.

- When American companies see that Serbia has a strategic dialogue with the United States, it will be a positive signal for new investments as well - Velebit said.

Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Republike Srbije

NIS a.d. Novi Sad

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

US Department of the Treasury

Pupin Initiative

NIS

Petroleum Industry of Serbia

Djerdap 3

Djerdap Three

OFAC

Vuk Velebit

Rasa Kojcic

Branislav Jorgic

Marko Djuric

Marco Rubio

gas interconnections

construction of Djerdap 3