U.S. ambassador Hill: Certain Issues in Serbia Should Be Resolved by Citizens, Not Foreign Diplomats
The United States always supports human rights and freedom of the press. These are ongoing challenges worldwide, but they are fundamental values of ours, Hill said to the FoNet agency, rejecting accusations that he supports the government-controlled media in Serbia.
He emphasized the need for caution when discussing specific issues in certain countries and how those issues are resolved, clarifying that we must be very careful in drawing boundaries because certain matters should be addressed by Serbian citizens, not foreign diplomats.
Hill declined to comment on the incident and attack by representatives and supporters of the ruling party against the leader of the opposition party, Dragan Djilas, but stressed that "people in politics" should calm down a bit.
"We have our own problems in the United States, but as a general rule, I think we all need to calm down a bit. I hope such things won’t happen again", the U.S. ambassador said.
Regarding the announcement that the United States may impose sanctions on the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), the U.S. Embassy could not comment on the news but emphasized that the risks of cooperating with Russian companies, especially in the energy sector, have been well-known for a long time.
Serbia is clearly moving toward the West, and I want to believe that the United States and Serbia understand each other well and are working together not just on bilateral issues but also with other countries, said U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill on the program Portal.
Hill also refrained from delving into the topic of student protests in Serbia, emphasizing that there are fundamental values everyone accepts, such as the right to peaceful assembly.
"This is really something for the people of Serbia to decide. My job here is to deal with U.S. interests, work on improving relations with Serbia, and see if we can find areas of cooperation, not only bilaterally but also internationally", Hill explained.
Regarding the tragedy in Novi Sad, he said it should be resolved within the judicial system but acknowledged the significant concern of the Serbian people on the issue.
Hill supports freedom of the press but notes that this is a matter for the institutions, not foreign diplomats.
"I understand the desire to involve foreign diplomats in this, even to say it’s my responsibility, but my job is to work with Serbia, the Serbian government, institutions, and the Serbian people", Hill concluded.
Studenti koji već nedeljama blokiraju fakultete organizovali su sa poljoprivrednicima protestno okupljanje na trgu Slavija u Beogradu, na kojem je odata pošta nastradalima na Železničkoj stanici u Novom Sadu. Okupljanje je počelo oko 16 sati, a skup je završen oko 18 časova.
Kilometarske kolone na putevima i naplatnim stanicama Hrvatske. HAK je upozorio vozače da prilagode brzinu i način vožnje uslovima na putevima i u saopštenju istakao da je kolona ka granici sa Srbijom, na Bajakovu, dugačka 22 kilometra.
U Novom Pazaru desio se incident prethodne noći u kom je prilikom redovne kontrole u saobraćaju kolima udaren policijski službenik A. B, saznaje Newsmax Balkans.
Kilometarske kolone na putevima i naplatnim stanicama Hrvatske premećene i u nedelju ujutru. HAK je upozorio da je kolona na Bajakovu prema Srbiji duga 19 kilometara.
Predsednik Srbije Aleksandar Vučić izjavio je da je važno da u ovom trenutku nastavimo da radimo zajedno, da sve naše razlike ne ostavljamo po strani, ali "da pokušamo da razumemo da su mir i stabilnost u zemlji od izuzetnog značaja".
Christopher Hill, the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, stated that there are no indications that sanctions will be imposed on the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS).
Students who have been blocking university faculties for weeks organized a protest gathering with farmers at Slavija Square in Belgrade, during which tribute was paid to the victims of the Railway Station in Novi Sad.
The Standing Working Group on the Safety of Journalists (SRG) held its final regular quarterly meeting of the year on December 18 in Belgrade. The session focused on security challenges faced by media professionals from October to December, as well as throughout 2024.
This year has been excellent for Telekom Srbija's shareholders, said the company's CEO, Vladimir Lucic, adding that in 2024, the company continued investing in young tech companies, which, according to him, has proven to be an excellent business move.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, highlighted that significant milestones have been achieved in the accession processes of Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro during Hungary's presidency of the Council of the European Union.
At the EU-Western Balkans leaders’ summit in Brussels, a declaration was adopted reaffirming the full and unequivocal commitment to the prospect of EU membership for the Western Balkans and emphasizing that the region's future lies within the Union.
Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric, during a meeting in Athens, expressed gratitude to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his support of the European Serbia vision, emphasizing that Serbia’s accession to the EU would strengthen the position of both countries.
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