Lecture by Đurić and Godfrey on the relations between Serbia and the USA

The topic of the lecture were relations between Serbia and the USA throughout history, with an emphasis on marking the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, the priorities in the work of ambassadors and their missions, and the vision of further promotion of cooperation at all levels.

"One of the foreign policy priorities of our Government is the intensification of high-level political dialogue with the USA, and that is one of the key tasks I strive to fulfill during my mandate", said Đurić, adding that he believes that the current state of bilateral relations, which have been improving in recent years, will eventually lead to the visit of the highest American official.

"President Biden last visited Serbia in 2016 as the vice president of the USA, and then he had excellent talks with our state leadership. We want to build this new era of dialogue with the USA not only on the basis of good personal relations between President Biden and President Vučić, but also success in achieving common interests on the bilateral agenda", said Đurić.

Speaking about the economic results of Serbia in recent years, which have contributed to our country now being ranked among the top three economies in Europe, Ambassador Đurić emphasized our efforts to make the expansion of cooperation with the United States a pillar of Serbia's economic development.

"Economic and security cooperation with the USA is the key piece of the puzzle of our overall transatlantic partnership. I am glad that there is a mutual aspiration for these areas to be the backbone of Serbia's foreign policy progress in the coming period, "Đurić added.

Ambassador Đurić expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Godfrey for his personal engagement, productive approach and contribution to the creation of fertile ground for the continuation of positive dynamics in our relations.

He also reminded that this year marks several significant anniversaries in bilateral relations, including 15 years of the State Partnership Program of the Serbian Army and the Ohio National Guard, 20 years of developing partnership with the US agency USAID, 100 years since the founding of the First Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in America, as well as the recently marked fifth anniversary of the first direct flight of the company "Air Serbia" on the Belgrade-New York route.