U.S. Ambassador to NATO: The United States Opens a New Era in Relations with Serbia Focused on the Future

U.S. Ambassador to NATO: The United States Opens a New Era in Relations with Serbia Focused on the Future
Foto: Tanjug/Dejan Živančević

U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, stated that the United States has already invested more than $28 million in demining activities and is working to secure an additional $1.5 million for that purpose.

22.04.2026. 14:02

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He noted that these efforts reflect the strength of bilateral relations and mark the beginning of a new, future-oriented era.

During his visit to the Demining Center in Velika Mostanica, he expressed his satisfaction that he is in Serbia and beginning his visit with the Demining Center, which is a U.S. partner.

He recalled that since 2008, the United States has been working closely with Serbia on removing mines and contamination from cluster munitions in civilian areas.

"The Serbian Mine Action Center is an excellent partner in these efforts. In 2025, we reached a significant milestone by clearing unexploded cluster munitions from civilian areas", the ambassador said, adding that work is now focused on clearing the last municipality with known mine contamination.

"This cooperation saves lives and will remain a shared priority for our countries", Whitaker emphasized.

The Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Alexander Titolo, expressed satisfaction that Ambassador Whitaker’s time in Serbia began with a visit to the Mine Action Center of the Republic of Serbia, stressing that the Center’s work is incredibly important and that U.S. cooperation with it is a positive example of what can be achieved, when the United States and Serbia work together.

He assessed that their efforts quite literally save lives and added that he appreciates Ambassador Whitaker having the opportunity to witness their outstanding work.

Foto: Tanjug/Dejan Živančević

The visit, which included a demonstration exercise, simulating real-life conditions, as well as a presentation of equipment and expanded capacities, also provided an opportunity to present plaques to Whitaker and to the envoy of the President of Serbia, Presidential Security Advisor, Milorad Veljovic.

The Director of the Mine Action Center, Bojan Glamoclija, emphasized the importance of the support provided by the U.S. Government over the 23 years of the Center's work, noting that continuous donations have contributed to improving day-to-day field operations, with the clear goal of ensuring the safety and security of all citizens of Serbia.

"Support from the United States, as well as from other donors in the field of mine action, has multiple effects. In addition to direct results such as cleared land, there are also long-term outcomes reflected in creating conditions for faster economic development in municipalities that were previously contaminated, giving citizens the opportunity to build better living conditions through their work", Glamoclija stated.

Foto: Tanjug/Dejan Živančević

He recalled that from 2002 to 2025, the U.S. Government donated more than $16 million to the Humanitarian Demining Center, and together with other donors, the total exceeds $30 million invested in removing explosive remnants of war.

Glamoclija also noted that Serbia is the only country in the region allocating its own funds for humanitarian demining, which are further supplemented by donor contributions. He added that the Government of Serbia will continue this practice, which has received positive evaluations from donors.

Expressing hope that the United States will continue to support humanitarian demining in Serbia, he emphasized that the Center will remain a reliable partner on that path.

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