US Ambassador Hill: Serbia chooses for itself, if it wants to join NATO, it has the support of the US

Photo: Tanjug/Dragan Kujundzic

The US ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill, says that it is up to Serbia and its citizens to determine their own security and safety needs, and that in the event that Serbia wanted to join NATO, it would have to make many difficult choices, but with US support.

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"We are ready to support Serbia's aspirations and it must look to the future and what it could achieve for itself as a NATO member, but I must emphasize that it is up to Serbia to decide, if it were a choice, if it were a wish, as Serbia has a desire to join the EU, where we support Serbia," Hill said, as reported by Kosovo Online.

He also stressed on Wednesday during the conference, "Serbia's Position in the Euro-Atlantic Community," which was held online at the Bulgarian Embassy, ​​that joining the EU means many difficult choices, and if Serbia wanted to join NATO, there would also be many difficult choices to make, which she would have to take, many procedures to fulfill.

"We would help Serbia, but I want to emphasize again, it is not up to us, it is up to Serbia," Hill said.

He added that he is very aware of historical relations between the United States and Serbia, which had great moments, but also difficult ones, and that the current moment with Serbia is positive.

"We intend to do more together, to build on that momentum. Today we are closer than in the past and it is certain that Serbia's consitent policy in the UN and the vote criticizing and sincerely condemning the violation of Ukraine's independence are positions we share and look forward to testing that relationship in these difficult times, but as a result of these tests, we will become closer to Serbia," Hill said.

Hill added that it is not up to the United States to tell Serbia or anyone how to organize international interests going forward, but it is in the interest of the United States to work with Serbia.

"We are proud of the relations we have developed with Serbia in previous years and the relationship we intend to have. We are ready to move forward just as Serbia is ready to move forward, and work with you in the spirit of mutual respect," Hill said.

He also believes that relations with Russia cannot go back to those that existed before February 24.

The conference was attended by President of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Serbia Dragan Sormaz, the Bulgartian ambassador in Serbia, and Zoran Dragisic.

(Telegraf.rs)