Đurić: The Best Days of Serbia–U.S. Cooperation and Relations Are Yet to Come

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Marko Đurić said today at the international conference “Belgrade Dialogue: U.S.–Serbia Political Pillars and Economic Bridges”, organised by the Congress of Serbian-American Friendship to mark America Day, that relations between Serbia and the United States have made a significant strategic advance over the past six years and that the best days of cooperation between the two countries are yet to come.

Minister Đurić emphasised that the Strategic Dialogue has opened a new chapter in cooperation between Serbia and the United States. He recalled that this year holds particular significance for Serbian-American relations, as it marks the beginning of preparations to commemorate 145 years of bilateral relations, while also being a landmark year for the United States, which is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence. He congratulated the American people on this important anniversary and noted that the ideals of democracy, liberty, individual freedom, and the independence of peoples and states that accompanied the founding of the United States also held significance in the broader historical context of the restoration of Serbian independence beginning in 1804.

Speaking about the future of bilateral relations, Đurić noted that, in just over two years since the current U.S. administration took office, four meetings have been held between the U.S. Secretary of State and Serbia’s highest-level representatives, alongside numerous meetings with Deputy and Assistant Secretaries of State and other senior officials. According to Đurić, the partnership between Serbia and the United States continues to grow stronger month by month.

Turning to the importance of Serbia’s partnership with the State of Ohio, the Minister recalled that this year also marks the 20th anniversary of that partnership, which, as he noted, has significantly changed perceptions of Serbian service members in the United States and of U.S. service members in Serbia. He emphasised that the partnership has fostered trust, cooperation and personal friendships among officers and service members, while strengthening their ability to respond jointly to challenges and participate together in international missions and military exercises. He expressed particular gratitude to General Woodruff for his personal contribution to the development of this cooperation.

The Serbian Foreign Minister also highlighted the significant civilian dimension of the Serbia–Ohio partnership, recalling that Ohio, with a population of just over ten million, generates annual gross domestic product exceeding USD 650 billion. He noted that Ohio’s commitment to developing a strategic partnership with Serbia, in both the military and civilian spheres, represents an exceptional opportunity for Serbia.

Minister Đurić expressed his confidence that 2027 will bring a further deepening of relations between Serbia and the United States, accompanied by a record level of economic cooperation, more intensive exchanges in the field of education, and continued strengthening of the defence partnership. He emphasised that Serbia would be honoured to welcome the President of the United States, the Secretary of State and other senior U.S. officials to Belgrade, as well as to welcome U.S. representatives to Expo 2027.