2024-05-01 23:20:55
The US State Department expressed disappointment that two persons affected by US sanctions have been proposed for positions in the new Serbian government, reported the Serbian edition of “Voice of America”, quoted by BTA.
Yesterday, the future prime minister of Serbia and former defense minister Milos Vucevic presented the proposal for the new government after the December 17th parliamentary elections. Among the proposed names are Alexander Vulin and Nenad Popovich, who fall on the “black list” of the USA.
“We are disappointed to see two sanctioned individuals nominated for positions in the new administration,” a State Department spokesman said in a written statement to VOA. “Our position towards Mr. Vulin is well known. It remains under US sanctions.”
The statement noted that the US played no role in the selection of Serbian government personnel.
In July 2023, the US imposed sanctions on the head of Serbian intelligence, Aleksandar Vulin, for involvement in illegal arms supply, drug trafficking and abuse of office. He is also accused of ties to Moscow and the spread of Russia’s “malign actions” in Serbia and the Western Balkans region. He subsequently resigned from his post, and yesterday was proposed as deputy prime minister.
Nenad Popovic was minister without portfolio in charge of innovation and technological development in the Serbian government from 2017 to 2022. In November last year, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions against Popovic because of his ties to Russia, i.e. “because of harmful foreign policy activity”.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today that Serbia does not see as good news that the State Department is disappointed with the inclusion of Popovic and Vulin in the new Serbian government.
“I am not satisfied with their reaction, but the government of Serbia is elected by Serbian citizens. I respect the will of the people,” said Vucic, quoted by Belgrade’s Beta agency.