Fernandez: Serbia is a constructive partner

BELGRADE - US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose Fernandez said on Thursday in Belgrade Serbia was a constructive partner to the US and a key partner on many important issues in the region, including on energy and regional economic integration.

"This is my first trip here to Serbia and I come at a good time," Fernandez told reporters after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, noting that he came "on the heels of Serbia getting investment-grade status" and "at a time when Serbia is expected to grow at twice the level of the European economy."

He said he was very pleased to see the Serbian economy "growing in the right places - focusing on the industries of the future, technology, things that will, generations from now, continue to improve the economy."

He noted that Serbia and the US had signed in September an agreement on strategic energy cooperation that would make it much easier for US companies to invest in Serbia's energy sector.

"We are glad to work with Serbia as a constructive partner and a pragmatic leader on issues that matter most to our countries and also to the region, including improving the investment climate and promoting peace and stability. Serbia is a key partner on many important issues in the region, including on energy, on critical minerals and regional economic integration, and all of these are items that we have discussed in the last few months with Serbia," he said, noting that Serbia had recently joined a mineral security partnership forum.

"Serbia will be working with us and with other partners around the globe - our partners include 14 countries and the European Union - to develop diverse and sustainable critical mineral supply chains," Fernandez said.