Hill: Sanctioning Vulini does not mean worse Serbia-US relations

2023-07-13 17:50:21, Kosova & Bota CNA

The US ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill, said on July 13 that the United States does not want to have any relationship with the head of Serbia's Security and Information Agency (BIA), Aleksandar Vulin, but that sanctions imposed on him as an individual do not mean worse relations with Serbia.

"The United States carefully studied Vulin and his activities, and came to the conclusion that he is not someone we want in America. So, sanctions are a way to protect the United States," Hill told reporters during a tour in the Belo Bërdo archaeological area.

On July 11, the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the US Department of the Treasury placed BIA director Vulin on the sanctions list.

According to the Treasury, Vulin has been involved in corrupt affairs to "advance his political agendas and his personal interests at the expense of peace and stability in the Western Balkans".

Ambassador Hill said he thinks Serbia is on the right track and that relations between the US and Serbia are good and improving.

"The US wants to help Serbia, which clearly shows that it wants to be part of Western institutions. We will help it to the extent that Belgrade itself wants," said Hill.

During a visit to the restoration and rehabilitation of an archaeological site, which is being carried out by the Government of Serbia and overseen by the US Embassy, ??Hill added that Vulin will not be able to obtain a US visa.

U.S. Treasury Department Undersecretary Brian E. Nelson said in explaining the sanctions against Vulin on July 11 that the decision held him responsible for alleged corrupt and destabilizing acts that also enabled Russia's malign activities in the region.

He added that the Treasury Department will not refrain from targeting actors who "abuse their positions for personal gain, while at the same time undermining democratic authorities in the Western Balkans."

Vulini's party, the Socialist Movement, which is part of the coalition with the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, rejected the allegations and criticized the US. Vulin himself has not declared publicly.

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, has not yet answered questions about whether he will replace Vulin, but has warned of an investigation into the US allegations.

Before becoming head of the BIA, Vulin served as Minister of Defense and as Minister of the Interior./ REL