Dacic, Hill sign MoU between Serbian MFA, US State Department

BELGRADE - Serbian First Deputy PM and FM Ivica Dacic and US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill signed on Thursday a MoU between the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Department of State.

At a joint press conference, Dacic said Serbia believed contacts with the US, including exchanges of bilateral visits, must be stepped up.

"We welcome the fact that (US Department of State) counsellor Derek Chollet is coming to Serbia on January 12, if I understood that well. Of course, we would also look forward to a visit by State Secretary Antony Blinken. That would confirm a commitment by the present US administration to developing a partnership," Dacic said.

He said he was also pleased with the level of economic cooperation with the US and thanked Hill for giving assessments that could encourage investors to come to Serbia.

"It is of great significance that over 30,000 workers are employed by US companies in Serbia," Dacic said.

Speaking about the MoU, he said it would establish cooperation that would result in an exchange of staff.

"We see that arrangement as another opportunity for advancement of bilateral relations and better understanding between foreign affairs services. It is about temporary deployment of a liaison officer from our ministry to the corresponding directorate of the State Department," Dacic explained.

Hill said he had discussed various issues with Dacic and said he was pleased there was a common view on problems.

There are many things that need to be done about issues that are very important for both Serbia and the US, Hill said, noting the Russia-Ukraine conflict.