U.S. Embassy Belgrade Chargé d’Affaires, Alexander Titolo, spoke today at the “World 2026” conference at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, where he discussed the future of U.S.-Serbia relations.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Prime Minister Macut, Deputy Prime Minister Dačić, Ministers, Ambassadors, Colleagues, and friends, good afternoon.
I want to thank Mr. Robert Čoban for the invitation to this event. It is good to see so many familiar faces, and to hear your thoughtful insights.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to all of you today, and to offer my perspective on what the future holds for the U.S.-Serbia relationship.
First, I want to note that we have come a long way. The United States and Serbia share a hope and desire to build a better, more prosperous future together. This future must be founded on peace and stability in the region. At this critical juncture, we cannot afford to look back, or to let prior disagreements and difficulties prevent us from moving forward.
Serbia has the potential to be a driver of regional stability and economic growth. We recognize this potential, and we want to expand our partnership to seize this moment.
We have taken steps to launch a Strategic Dialogue, as announced in August by Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Djuric. As you know, the United States is committed to reinvigorating the U.S.-Serbia relationship, to increasing economic, personal, and business ties between our countries, and to engaging in political dialogue based on common interests and values.
I want to underline that our evolving relationship is grounded in practical realism. Our job is to work with countries that are committed to their own future. And I believe Serbia wants a better, more stable, and more prosperous future. We have seen that in the many ways we have collaborated in the recent past.
The United States and Serbia already have strong military and law enforcement ties. The Serbian Army’s almost 20-year relationship with the Ohio National Guard has translated into countless hours of joint training and exercises, where our troops learned from each other and formed strategic bonds. Experts on our Security team conduct trainings with Serbian border guards, officials, and private sector employees on spotting forgery and preventing crime – an example of international cooperation that brings tangible benefits to all of us.
Many American companies have found a home in Serbia – including Coca Cola, Microsoft, NCR Voyix and NCR Atleos, Oracle, and others. These companies employ tens of thousands of Serbs, drive economic growth, and help strengthen business ties between our countries. A stable and predictable investment environment will encourage even more U.S. businesses to seek opportunities in Serbia. The upcoming 2027 EXPO will be a key chance for Serbia to demonstrate to the world its ability to be a regional leader in industrial and technological innovation.
And just last month, the U.S. Embassy opened its state-of-the art American Resource Center at the Lozionica complex in Belgrade. The ARC, as we call it, is a beautiful testament to America’s commitment to Serbia. This public-facing space will host wide-ranging events focused on education, business, science, technology and cultural engagement for all Serbians. It is a true symbol of the value the United States places in our relationship with Serbia, and our desire to create opportunities that better both of our countries.
The next year holds incredible potential – but there are also challenges to overcome.
The United States is facing a changing world. We are heading into 2026 with the leadership and conviction to meet these evolving challenges head on. This administration has been uniquely focused on ending conflicts around the world and saving lives.
Now, as we speak, our colleagues are working tirelessly to end the terrible war in Ukraine and secure a lasting peace.
We are redoubling our efforts to quash drug trafficking to prevent the senseless deaths it causes in the United States and around the world.
And we are advocating for more equitable trade and business practices globally, which will create a fairer environment and increased prosperity for everyone.
We cannot succeed in this alone, so we call on our friends and partners to join us in these efforts, and that includes Serbia.
I want to close on a festive note. The United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its independence in 2026. We are proud of what our country has accomplished in its 250-year history, and of its global leadership over the last two and a half centuries. We will launch a number of exciting public events and campaigns over the next year to mark our 250-year history and to honor the best of American culture, sports, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This will include events at the American Resource Center, the ARC, here in Belgrade, our American corners around Serbia, as well as various media engagements.
I invite all of you to celebrate this anniversary with us, attend our events, and engage with us to learn more about American history, culture, and contributions. We welcome the chance to mark our 250th birthday with you, as we look forward to a more peaceful and promising future for all.
Thank you once again for the opportunity to speak with you today. I wish you a successful conference, and a healthy and prosperous 2026″.