27.08.2026.
10:40
Vučić: "A new era in Serbia-U.S. relations lies ahead"; "We are doing important work" PHOTO/VIDEO
President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić is visiting the Innovation and Education Park of the Serbian Mine Action Center in Velika Moštanica.
At the beginning of the visit, Vučić was briefed on the Mine Action Center’s work program.
“This slide shows the current situation regarding landmine contamination and explosive remnants of war across the territory of the Republic of Serbia. As for cluster munitions, the known contaminated civilian areas have been cleared, while additional areas suspected of containing mines were identified in Bujanovac during a new survey. Aircraft bombs and rockets remain a problem at 150 locations across Serbia. It is important to note that the Center is responsible for clearing civilian areas, while military areas fall under the jurisdiction of the Serbian Armed Forces,” Vučić was told by the Center.
It was also noted that a large number of projects have been supported by the United States.
“The Mine Action Center has implemented 299 demining projects, clearing a total area of more than 64 million square meters and destroying more than 54,000 mines and explosive remnants of war. In accordance with its mandate, the Mine Action Center, in addition to preparing project documentation, conducts quality control and issues demining certificates.”
Projects carried out with U.S. support have so far been implemented in 17 municipalities, while the Center is also actively working on the development of the Information and Education Park.
“The total area cleared of contamination exceeds 13 million square meters. Through these projects, a total of 5,347 different explosive ordnance items were found and destroyed. The chart shows completed projects by type of contamination: cluster munitions, mines and various types of unexploded ordnance (UXO). These are measurable results that directly contribute to improving the economic and social life of affected communities. They represent a concrete contribution to supporting the humanitarian demining process in Serbia.
We currently have two UXO clearance projects underway in the municipality of Rakovica. During the 1999 NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a military storage facility in Rakovica was hit, causing ordnance from the facility to be scattered across the surrounding land.”
FOTO TANJUG/ AMIR HAMZAGIĆ/ bs
Mine Action Center
FOTO TANJUG/ AMIR HAMZAGIĆ/ bs
Mine Action Center
FOTO TANJUG/ AMIR HAMZAGIĆ/ bs
Mine Action Center
FOTO TANJUG/ AMIR HAMZAGIĆ/ bs
Mine Action Center
FOTO TANJUG/ AMIR HAMZAGIĆ/ bs
Mine Action Center
FOTO TANJUG/ AMIR HAMZAGIĆ/ bs
Mine Action Center
FOTO TANJUG/ AMIR HAMZAGIĆ/ bs
Mine Action Center
“Unexploded ammunition and other munitions were scattered across the site as a result of the bombing and subsequent fires and remain buried in the ground. During the construction of homes in the area, residents frequently reported finding unexploded ordnance. According to estimates, the contaminated area in the municipality of Rakovica covered approximately 182 hectares”.
“The Mine Action Center prepared clearance projects and divided the area into five projects. In 2026, tender procedures for financing three projects were completed, two of which are already underway.”
Tour of the Training Ground
Vučić then toured the training ground and was briefed on the work of deminers.
“I’m glad that Kopaonik has been cleared,” Vučić said during the tour, pointing to the continuing problem posed by aircraft bombs and the need for demining in Rakovica.
He met and shook hands with the deminers and examined explosive ordnance that had been found in the Belgrade municipality of Rakovica while residents were building private homes.
Vučić asked whether there had been any workplace injuries, and was told there had not.
The deminers told him that their safety was their top priority and that the most important thing was for them to return home safely to their families.
“It is important that Kopaonik has been cleared. We must also completely clear Bujanovac,” Vučić said.
“A Turning Point in Serbia-U.S. Relations”
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Alexander Titolo then addressed those present.
“I am proud to announce that the United States will provide an additional $5.1 million to support further demining efforts in Serbia. Thanks to this investment, we have cleared millions of square meters of land. This includes Kopaonik, Bujanovac and the ongoing demining operation in Rakovica. These results are the best testament to the expertise and dedication of the deminers who work on the ground every day”.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the partners who make this cooperation possible. This demonstrates the results that the U.S.-Serbia partnership can deliver,” Titolo said.
He recalled that the United States launched a strategic dialogue with Serbia this year, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić then addressed the gathering.
“Thank you all for being here with us today. What we are doing is important work, and I am grateful to the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. government for this additional donation.
“We cannot change the past, but we can influence the future. I cannot use too many words to describe the importance of the strategic dialogue between the United States and Serbia, but for us, it is a turning point.
“For those who think this is simply about things that we or only the Americans like — no. Through this process, we are developing mutual understanding and listening to one another. We are entering a new era in relations between Serbia and the United States, with cooperation in many areas ahead of us.
“It is clear that during my visit to the United Nations General Assembly, I will hold talks with many American businesspeople. We will accomplish many things for our two countries,” Vučić said.
He stressed that demining is an important issue for the citizens of Serbia.
“As for our Croatian brothers — and to avoid any misunderstanding, I mean that without quotation marks — I respect them and I do not want to say anything bad about them. I do not think they are either brave or cowards, but simply ordinary people like us. They are a major and powerful force, and we respect them. Given that they have formed a military alliance with Pristina and Tirana, we understood this as a threat. We are seeking to deter them from aggression against our country, and we will continue to do so.”
He responded to opposition criticism over his meeting with Jelena Janković, whom they accused of “trying to curry favor with Vučić” by agreeing to become an ambassador for EXPO 2027.
“Jelena has always represented Serbia and given everything for her country. She is promoting EXPO — not Vučić, but her country. I have not said a single word about our champions who have taken the other side and directly involved themselves in the politics of our country. What you are writing about Jelena is not journalism. It is schizophrenic and ruthless political activity that is producing results. You can make people hate someone, but more people will hate you for spreading hatred toward Jelena Janković, who has brought so much success to our country.”
He also addressed calls by Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković and Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić for the West to put pressure on Serbia over its purchase of Rafale fighter jets, saying it was “interesting that everything they have forgiven themselves, they will not forgive others.”
“When they bought PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, did they ask us anything? Perhaps they can sell that to their own public. As far as they are concerned, they can pursue their cooperation with Pristina and Tirana for as long as they want. We wish them all the best. Serbia is already a tough nut to crack, and tomorrow it will be an even tougher one. Our goal is deterrence; we do not want wars or conflicts,” Vučić said.
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