Key messages from the inaugural Pupin Forum
The keyword of this Forum was revitalization. Our mission is to renew and deepen the historically positive relations between Serbia and America.
Political and economic stability are crucial for strengthening Serbia-US relations and supporting American investment and Serbia’s growing startup scene. The Pupin Forum highlighted Serbia's key role as the US’ principal partner in the Balkans, exploring the region’s potential, technological progress, sustainable energy, and collaborative e-mobility initiatives.
Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Sends A Strong Message: In a conversation with the executive director of the Pupin Initiative, Minister Đurić made it clear that strengthening cooperation with the US aligns with Serbia's foreign policy strategy. “I believe that strengthening relations between Serbia and the US is not only possible but a necessity if we want to see more efficient work on Serbia's full integration into broader European structures,” said Đurić.
Foreign Policy of Serbia Based On Strategic Approach, Not Most Popular Sentiments: “Serbia sees an opportunity to maintain good relations with Western countries, Eastern countries, African countries, which is the fastest-growing continent, and Latin American countries. Such a foreign policy represents a comparative advantage for Serbia,” emphasized the minister.
Defense Partnership: Đurić highlighted the long-term success of the Serbia-US defense cooperation. "We are very proud of the fact that, in partnership with the Ohio National Guard, our American hosts like to say that it is the most successful example of cooperation between the National Guard and a foreign military."
Serbs Aren’t Center of Attention In Washington, But Serbia’s Importance Is Growing: Marko Đurić provided a realistic view of Serbia's position in Washington and the effort needed for Serbia’s voice to be heard more strongly: “One of the illusions often held by people from the Balkans when they come to Washington is that we are at the center of attention… The number of people in the American system who understand Serbia's geopolitical, economic, and strategic significance is gradually increasing, and who are starting to prioritize relations with Serbia.”
Effort to Improve Serbian Diplomacy: According to Minister Đurić, Serbia will invest in improving its diplomatic-consular network and expanding its personnel. A new opportunity for the enhancement of Serbian diplomats is the new exchange program with the US, which involves Serbian officials going for training in America.
Refreshing Change: The way the Foreign Minister spoke about the US at the Pupin forum is an indicator of a shift in Serbian diplomacy and the rhetoric of top officials regarding cooperation with the US. Đurić’s predecessor, Ivica Dačić, did not give much attention to cooperation with the US, which is expected given the ideology of Dačić’s Socialist Party of Serbia. Therefore, Đurić’s statements at the Pupin Forum are a real refreshment and bring optimism.
Serbia Has A Lot To Offer: Yuri Kim, the first deputy assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasian affairs, addressed the audience at the Pupin Forum via video message, stating: "Serbia and the Western Balkans have much to offer to European and American partners, such as increasingly dynamic economies attracting more investors, a young talented workforce ready to build a high-tech, green environment. Together we will build the future we want to see for Serbia, the Western Balkans, Europe, and the US."
Importance of Understanding Chinese Politics: At the first panel, Brigadier General Chris A. McKinney, Deputy Director for Partnership and Security Cooperation at EUCOM, Dejan Jović, Professor of International Relations at the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Zagreb, and Andrew J. Nathan, Professor of Political Science at Columbia University, USA, spoke. Significant attention was paid to Sino-American relations and the importance of understanding and being informed about China and its politics.
Biotech Under Spotlight: At the panel dedicated to biotechnology, speakers included Samuel Sia, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Vice Provost, Columbia University, Jelena Begović, Minister of Innovation, Technology, and Science of Serbia, and Ivan Trifunović, Biotech Executive and co-founder of Dren Bio. They highlighted the importance of developing the IT sector and biotechnology, emphasizing that investments in science and research centers are crucial not only for scientific development but also for Serbia’s economy. Special attention was given to the BIO4 campus, where over 4000 students will be able to train in the most modern conditions. This significant project was singled out as an example of the importance of state support for the development of science and technology.
Serbia Catches Up To The West in E-Mobility: At the panel on energy security and e-mobility, speakers included Nemanja Mikac, General Director of ElevenEs, Filip Mitrović, E-Mobility Consultant, and Miloš Colić, Director at New Energy Solution. The key message from this panel is that investments in new electronic drives are increasing day by day, and Serbia is slowly catching up with Western countries, which will be reflected in a few years.
Importance of Education & Science In Tech: The final panel of the Pupin Forum was dedicated to the world of technology, featuring speakers like Mina Konaković Luković, Professor of Computer Science and Principal Investigator at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, MIT, Dragan Tomić, Vice President of Engineering at Databricks, Alex Wheldon, Co-Founder, President & Chief Product Officer at Rho, and Tihomir Bajić, Founder of Serbian Entrepreneurs and Co-Founder of Fifth Quarter Ventures. The panel emphasized the importance of investing in education and science to ensure the best quality personnel, as well as the exchange of knowledge with the tech sector in the US, and increased investment in startups.