Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić said he held “an open conversation” with U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Gary Peters during their visit to Belgrade this Thursday. The president reiterated “Serbia’s determination in continuing to develop relations with the United States, based on mutual respect and understanding”.

Part of the discussion was dedicated to the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, with Vučić emphasizing that the establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo as a priority for Belgrade, as it is foreseen in the Brussel Agreement.

According to the presidential press office statement, Vučić noted that “Belgrade had been demonstrating seriousness and responsibility since the beginning of the dialogue despite constant provocations and numerous unilateral moves by Pristina that obstructed the process of seeking a compromise and sustainable solution”.

The Serbian President also reiterated that his country remains committed to maintaining stability in the region, a positive agenda and a strengthening of regional cooperation in all areas, especially in the economy, while praising initiatives such as Open Balkan, to promote a policy oriented to the future in a consistent and preserving manner, putting emphasis on mutually beneficial cooperation.

The U.S. Senators were expected to meet with PM Brnabić as well, but the latter cancelled the meeting through a statement issued by the Government of Serbia, for reasons yet unclear.