The below is attributable to Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:
Administrator Samantha Power started her second day in Belgrade with a meeting with President Aleksandar Vučić. She reaffirmed the U.S. government’s support for Serbia’s EU accession and reinforced the importance of Serbia continuing to play a constructive role in maintaining regional stability. The Administrator and President Vučić discussed Serbia’s commitments under the EU-facilitated agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, as well as opportunities for the U.S. to support further progress to fully implement the agreement.
Administrator Power then addressed the staff of the U.S. Embassy, where she reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to building partnerships within Serbia and expressed her appreciation for the Embassy staff’s work to advance U.S.-Serbian relations at a critical moment for the country.
Administrator Power then met with Prime Minister Ana Brnabić. The Administrator discussed ways in which USAID can continue to support Serbia’s reform progress, including through efforts to enable Serbia’s clean energy transition, expand its tech and creative sectors, and advance regional integration. Administrator Power and Prime Minister Brnabić discussed the importance of USAID efforts to help equip Serbians with the tools and skills they need to start and grow businesses that generate well-paying jobs.
Later in the day, Administrator Power held a press conference where she underscored that the U.S. government is firmly committed to helping Serbia achieve its aspirations to join the EU, noting that USAID’s partnership with the people and government of Serbia will enable the country to fully unlock its potential to be a regional economic powerhouse and a strong, transparent, multi-ethnic, European democracy.
Administrator Power concluded her day with a visit to Belgrade’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Hub, founded in 2014 with USAID support, to engage with IT entrepreneurs and learn more about their recent successes. At the ICT Hub, she discussed how USAID can continue to support this dynamic sector of Serbia’s economy and met with local tech leaders who detailed USAID’s “supercluster” approach to accelerating the expansion of digital opportunities in Serbia by fostering collaboration between the IT industry, private sector, academia, and government.
Administrator Power Travels to Serbia and Kosovo - May 2023
