US Ambassador: Serbia is paying a high price for not imposing sanctions on Russia

(Patria) - US Ambassador Christopher Hill stated today that Serbia will have to make a decision on sanctions against Russia because it is paying a high price for not imposing them.

In an interview with the Novi Pazar radio Sto plus, Hill said that it is very important for Serbia not to wait to become an EU member, but to align its policy with the EU in the accession process, including on the issue of imposing sanctions on Russia.

It is never too late

- We must know that Russia brutally attacked its neighbor, many small European countries have imposed sanctions, even though it was difficult for them, but they did it because it is the right thing to do. I believe that Serbia will also realize this, it is never too late to do the right thing - said Hill.

When asked what is slowing down Serbia's progress towards the EU the most - not imposing sanctions on Moscow, insufficient progress in the dialogue with Pristina, the state of democracy, or problems within the EU itself, Ambassador Hill stated that the most honest answer would be "all of the above".

- But the most important thing is for the citizens of Serbia to convince themselves that the path to the EU is the right one, and we believe it is. I hope that the citizens of Serbia will see this, I am aware that there is frustration and dissatisfaction that this process is not faster, but the most important thing is that Serbia is on the right track - assesses Hill.

According to him, Serbia has made significant progress.

- I do not agree with the pessimists who say that Serbia is going in the wrong direction. Serbia is going in the right direction. I know it is frustratingly difficult and slow, but it is on the right track and we will support it as much as we can - he said.

He believes that Moscow's influence on Belgrade is negative, that Russia's results in Serbia are poor, and that citizens will have to realize this.

- My opinion is that Russia is not helping Serbia in any way. They have done nothing to help resolve the issue of Kosovo, they have done almost nothing to help economically, even for their energy support, Serbia has to pay - added Hill.

Speaking about the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on the normalization of relations, he emphasizes that it is still too early to assess the outcome of the meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Brussels, and that new talks should be awaited.

Preserve peace and security

- I think we are moving in the right direction, but we have to wait and see because no one has agreed to anything yet. I would not like to talk about specific issues and deadlines, I think it is important that issues are resolved, that after 10 years the Community of Serb Municipalities is finally formed, and that many see this as a test of whether the international community is seriously interested in resolving this issue, and I can say that it is. It just takes patience - he said.

He also said that the political relations between Serbia and the USA are improving, that he is pleased with the recent conversation between Vučić and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and that things are good on the economic front.

- For even better relations, it is necessary to have as many high-level meetings as possible. American companies are present in Serbia, they are first-class companies with modern technologies, not technologies from the seventies.

In the last few months alone, we have had visits from two business delegations. They like Serbia's position on the doorstep of the EU, as well as its ambitions to become part of the EU - he said.

Hill is on a two-day visit to Novi Pazar, which is the first visit of the US ambassador to that city in almost six years, during which he spoke with representatives of the local self-government, two Islamic communities, the Bosniak National Council, and young people.

- This region is very important to the USA. This is a dynamic, multicultural area that 25 years ago was uncertain which way it would go. Difficult but right decisions were made for communities to live together. Peace and stability have been preserved, and this should be rewarded with a greater presence of the USA - said the ambassador.

He added that in direct conversation with representatives of Islamic communities and the Bosniak National Council, he learned about the problems they face.

- I listened to them, but honestly, I see progress and people should be aware of it. Problems should be solved step by step. The most important thing is to preserve peace and security, no one has objected to that. As long as this region is peaceful and stable, it will benefit more and become a desirable place for foreign investment - said Hill.