You Have to Be Where Decisions Are Made
For decades, we have allowed others, mostly those who do not like us, to speak about Serbia in Congress. Now, for the first time, we have sat at the same table and said: this is our story, these are the facts, these are the opportunities. That is why I said that this is not 'just another event' – this is the moment when Serbia stops being a topic in Washington and becomes a dialogue partner, says Vuk Velebit, president of the 'Pupin' Initiative, in an interview with 'Politika'. In April, Velebit participated in the first congressional briefing on Serbia-US relations on Capitol Hill, and the day before yesterday, he hosted many influential players from America in Belgrade.
TL;DR
- The 'Pupin' Initiative has moved Serbia from being a topic of discussion in Washington to a direct dialogue partner.
- The initiative has established direct communication channels with over 3,000 decision-makers in Washington and organized impactful discussions.
- A key event was the first congressional briefing on Serbia-US relations on Capitol Hill, attended by congressmen, advisors, and diplomats.
- Participated in a panel at The Heritage Foundation discussing the Black Sea and the Danube, presenting Serbia as a potential part of regional solutions.
- The initiative is privately funded by individuals and companies, ensuring freedom from external narrative dictation.
- The article criticizes outdated foreign policy concepts like the 'four pillars' and 'military neutrality', advocating for 'pragmatic sovereignty' based on national interests.
- The 'Pupin Connectivity and Investment Forum' aims to transform Serbia's geography into an economic and security advantage by focusing on concrete projects, capital, infrastructure, and partnerships.
- The article argues that Serbia's future relevance and growth depend on actively engaging with leading global economies and decision-making platforms.