“U.S. satisfied with situation in Serbia”

U.S. embassy Deputy Chief of Mission in Belgrade, Jennifer Brush, said that the U.S. is content with the current political and security situation in Serbia. “Your country is headed in a positive direction, and there is no questioning that. A majority of Serbian citizens has chosen a pro-European government and has clearly stated that they expects EU entrance, visa liberalizations, and integrations into European and Western institutions,” Brush told daily Vecernje Novosti. “U.S. satisfied with situation in Serbia” She said that it is still early to make any promises regarding the potential visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to Belgrade. “It is certain that his visit would be a symbol of hope and a sign for Serbia’s citizens that change and overcoming obstacles of the past is possible,” Brush said. Brush said that the Serbian government is behaving responsibly as far as the economic crisis is concerned, and that it reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund in time. “In the coming period, we would like to see an implementation of economic reforms and the beginning of a real fight against corruption, in order for Serbia to become a magnet for American and Western investments once the economic crisis ends,” she said. Answering the question of what the plan is for Washington for beginning new relations between America and Serbia, she said that the plan is very simple and has three points: a prosperous, democratic and stable Serbia, integrated into Europe and international economic institutions, which respects the rule of law and human rights--a multiethnic Serbia which is at peace with itself and its neighbors. “We will do everything we can to help you on this path. We are cooperating closely with Serbian economic institutions on improving the investment climate in Serbia,” Brush said. “We have a large aid program, worth USD 50mn a year. We are focusing more and more on specific topics: decentralization, independent courts, aid programs for local self-administrations...” Brush said. She said that EULEX has a very difficult job in Kosovo and the U.S. thinks that it is doing the job well. “We are also content with the fact that Serbia agreed to cooperate with EULEX, but the cooperation can be better and we would like to see this in action soon,” she said. “We expect that Serbia will located and extradite Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic, and we will do everything we can to help you in these efforts,” Brush concluded.

“U.S. satisfied with situation in Serbia”

She said that it is still early to make any promises regarding the potential visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to Belgrade.

“It is certain that his visit would be a symbol of hope and a sign for Serbia’s citizens that change and overcoming obstacles of the past is possible,” Brush said.

Brush said that the Serbian government is behaving responsibly as far as the economic crisis is concerned, and that it reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund in time.

“In the coming period, we would like to see an implementation of economic reforms and the beginning of a real fight against corruption, in order for Serbia to become a magnet for American and Western investments once the economic crisis ends,” she said.

Answering the question of what the plan is for Washington for beginning new relations between America and Serbia, she said that the plan is very simple and has three points: a prosperous, democratic and stable Serbia, integrated into Europe and international economic institutions, which respects the rule of law and human rights--a multiethnic Serbia which is at peace with itself and its neighbors.

“We will do everything we can to help you on this path. We are cooperating closely with Serbian economic institutions on improving the investment climate in Serbia,” Brush said.

“We have a large aid program, worth USD 50mn a year. We are focusing more and more on specific topics: decentralization, independent courts, aid programs for local self-administrations...” Brush said.

She said that EULEX has a very difficult job in Kosovo and the U.S. thinks that it is doing the job well.

“We are also content with the fact that Serbia agreed to cooperate with EULEX, but the cooperation can be better and we would like to see this in action soon,” she said.

“We expect that Serbia will located and extradite Ratko Mladić and Goran Hadžić, and we will do everything we can to help you in these efforts,” Brush concluded.