Americans blame Dodik

Americans blame Dodik

Candidate for the new U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill, stated that Bosnia-Herzegovina presents the biggest problem in the region and that it was due to the attempt of Republika Srpska to withdraw from the joint institutions and the independent action of the Serbian member of the presidency, Milorad Dodik.

Answering the questions of the Senator of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Senate, Hill said that he was worried about the issues concerning Serbia and the Western Balkans. He said that the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina is increasingly problematic, that Republika Srpska is taking steps to take over competencies in the areas of justice and joint army, but that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic was very clear that there will be no change and support continuity in these areas.

Hill said that he believes that a common basis can be found with the leadership in Belgrade on these issues, and added that, if his nomination is confirmed, he will have important talks on that topic.

"We should work closely with Serbs on a common position that we must support the unity of Bosnia. Serbs should not have illusions that we will advocate for some unilateral changes in Bosnia. We should make it clear that the future of Republika Srpska is in Bosnia, not in another entity", Hill said.

Commenting on the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Hill assessed that progress has been made, but insufficient, and emphasized that the European Union does not want members who have problems with their neighbors.

Hill also referred to the issue of foreign influence in Serbia, saying that it is worrying that Belgrade is turning to Russia for certain acquisitions for the army, and to China when it comes to infrastructure needs.

"Seventy-five years since the Second World War, we have seen Belgrade as a special place where we do not want the growth of Russian influence. Today we see exactly those issues in which we should be careful and ready to do something. We should not only be careful, but also be ready to show that we offer a better model and alternatives. It is not enough to say that there are problems in accepting Chinese and Russian proposals. We need to show that what we have is better for Serbia. And that will be my intention if my appointment in the capacity of a new ambassador is confirmed", Hill pointed out.