30 January 2023

In separate meetings on Capitol Hill, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the U.S.A., Marko Djuric, met with Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and Congressman Paul Gosar and discussed further strengthening of Serbian and American cooperation and current geopolitical situation in the region.

Ambassador Djuric conveyed to the Members of the U.S. Congress the position of our state leadership in light of the latest developments in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, reiterating our commitment to the continuation of negotiations and finding a compromise solution.

Furthermore, he emphasized the active and constructive role of Serbia in establishing stability in the Western Balkans through encouraging development of concrete frameworks of cooperation and focus on creating new opportunities for economic progress of the whole region.

Djuric added that the U.S. support to the Open Balkan Initiative greatly contributes to the positive atmosphere of political dialogue and is a strong wind at the back of all parties involved, as well as additional motive to the American and European investors to increase their presence in our region.

At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Djuric invited Congresswoman Escobar and Congressman Gosar to join the U.S. Congressional Delegation to visit Serbia in the forthcoming period within the MECEA (Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange).

28 January 2023

A literary evening of writer and journalist Gordana Petković Laković was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington.

Three diaspora collections of works titled „At the Crossroads“, „Why We Left“ and „With a Heart in the Homeland“ were presented.

Through extensive research and interviews, the author captured all the unforgettable moments that touched the lives of some of the most prominent Serbian immigrants in North America.

Mrs. Petković Laković is the winner of numerous awards and recognitions for her contribution to improving the ties between the motherland and the diaspora.

A literary workshop for children aged 2 to 8 was also held.

27 January 2023

Marko Đurić, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the United States of America, officially opened a photography exhibition “Heritage of Stone and Heaven - World Cultural Heritage of Serbia” at the Embassy in Washington D.C.

The exhibition consists of photographs that are part of the international award-winning photography competition held in 2022 by the non-governmental organization “Art Exchange” based in Washington.

Ambassador Đurić thanked Svetlana Rogić, the founder and president of the “Art Exchange” organisation, for being able to unite and present the cultural assets of Serbia that are on the UNESCO list, whose beauty transcends national borders and represents the heritage of all humanity.

This exhibition is a part of numerous activities that will present Serbian culture and tradition to the American public in the coming period.

11 January 2023

In organisation of the Embassy of Serbia in Washington, concert „This is Serbia“ was held at the Millennium Stage of the prestigious Kennedy Centre.

Deputy Chief of Mission Andon Sapundzi addressed the audience, pointing out that it was a rare opportunity for visitors to listen to three very talented female artists performing songs by Serbian composers.

Milica Sekulić (piano), Biljana Soldo (soprano) and Nataša Rašić (mezzo-soprano), made an effort to introduce some of the most beautiful Serbian songs to the audience.

The repertoire included the songs of Davorin Jenko - composer of the Serbian national anthem, and Kornelije Stanković, thanks to whom modern melodies were reconciled with the traditional ones, Slavenski, Milojević, Marinković and Bajić - representatives of late Serbian romanticism, as well as our contemporaries Hristić, Le Roux Obradović and Golemović.

Milica Sekulić gives concerts and teaches piano in Potomac, Maryland, Biljana Soldo performs at the Virginia Opera, while Nataša Rašić performs in theatres in Belgrade and abroad.

22 December 2022

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, Marko Đurić, organised a holiday reception for officials of the State Department, the White House, the Pentagon, Congress and other representatives of the United States administration.

Guests of honour included Gabriel Escobar, US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Congresswoman Claudia Tenny, Co-Chair of the Serbian Congressional Caucus, Spencer Boyer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence, and Ambassador Philip Ricker, former acting US Assistant Secretary of State.

Ambassador Đurić addressed the audience, saying that the year 2022 will be remembered as the year in which, the relations between Serbia and the USA reached a completely new level in terms of substance, quality, and perspective, thanks to the joint efforts by both sides.

“We are saying farewell to another year of great cooperation, new partnerships and plans. In anticipation of the upcoming holidays, I want to thank you all for your sincere enthusiasm and commitment to preserving and improving Serbian-American relations, which, thanks to your and our dedicated work, have become an image of the exact vision our ancestors had 141 years ago”, Djuric said.

Held in the new building of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, this event brought together representatives of American business associations and companies, as well as high-level officials of the American administration dealing with our country and region.

19 December 2022

„Serbian cultural afternoon“ was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, where the Serbian art, sculpture and music scene at the intersection of generations was presented to the American public, spouses and partners of members of the diplomatic corps.

The event, hosted by the Ambassador's wife Andrijana Đurić, was held in two parts: the first part consisted of a group exhibition of paintings and sculptures by nine Serbian contemporary artists, called „Finding a Way“, while in the second part guests had the opportunity to listen to the works of Serbian composers performed by Milica Sekulić, successful Serbian pianist from Maryland.

The exhibition is the result of the joint vision, effort and creativity of Marija Milošević, Director of the „Art For All“ gallery from Belgrade and curator of the exhibition, and Elizabeth Escobar, the wife of the special American envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar, who spoke as special guests.

After reading a poem she wrote in memory of her stay in Serbia, Elizabeth Escobar also spoke about her personal experience of Serbian culture and art, which she had the opportunity to learn about during her husband's service at the US Embassy in Belgrade.

Marija Milošević explained the artistic concept of the project in the context of international exchange of ideas and global visibility, pointing out the symbolism of finding the path that artists in Serbia take in the process of materialisation of an idea, and finding a way for individual affirmation of artists through professionalism, commitment and renunciation.

The singularity of the event is reflected in the fact that for the first time the presentation of several types of art from Serbia has been united in this form through a peculiar combination of musical creativity in the period from 19th to 20th century, with a display of contemporary fine art.

17 December 2022

As decided by the Tesla Science Foundation, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to USA Marko Đurić received the Tesla Spirit Award.

On behalf of the Foundation, the Award was given to Ambassador Đurić by David Vuich, Chairman Emeritus and one of the seven engineers of Serbian origin who had participated in the Apollo Mission, a part of the NASA Space Programme.

“It is an honour to receive an award bearing the name of the greatest Serbian American scientist of all time, the man who lit the world, both literally and figuratively, and whose inventions changed the course of history for the benefit of the humanity as a whole. Paying homage to Nikola Tesla, we are paying homage to all Serbs and Americans, and to everything that our two countries and the Serbian and the American people can achieve together”, said Ambassador Đurić.

Handing the Award, Mr. Vuich explained that Ambassador Đurić was chosen to receive the prestigious accolade for his commitment to promoting the importance of the 140-year long history of diplomacy between the two countries, and his continuous efforts on finding new ways to improve the bilateral cooperation in the best interests of both Serbia and USA.

At the ceremony in the new building of the Embassy of Serbia, a statue of Nikola Tesla was presented, which had been built for the occasion by the American sculptor Stan Watts, and would be also exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington and many other museums and universities throughout USA.

The Tesla Spirit Award is the highest medal awarded by Serbs in the United States, Americans and admirers of the most world-famous Serbian inventor, who comprise the Tesla Science Foundation from Philadelphia.

Guided by its Founder and President Nikola Lončar, this Foundation has, for almost two decades, organised conferences and symposia in Tesla’s honour, and various events presenting his life and work, thus raising awareness of his scientific achievements and preserving the memory of his invaluable contribution to the human society.

14 December 2022

As one of his meetings with members of the Serbian Caucus in the United States Congress, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to USA Marko Đurić met with Democratic Congressman Frank Mrvan, and handed him a personal letter from President Aleksandar Vučić.

With respect to the current development in the northern part of Serbia’s southern province, Ambassador Đurić conveyed concerns over the more and more frequent and intense violation of basic human rights of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, and highlighted the importance of the observance of the Brussels Agreement and necessity of creating a Community of Serb Municipalities.

In terms of economic cooperation, Ambassador Đurić informed Congressman Mrvan about Serbia’s newest macroeconomic results, which, in spite of the global crisis, exceeded all expectations, and emphasised that Serbia remained the regional leader n in terms of the number of direct investments.

Noting the considerable success that Serbia was having in the IT sector, as a leading branch of industry, Ambassador Đurić informed Congressman Mrvan of Serbia’s readiness to share its existing knowledge and experience in this field with the State of Indiana.

In view of the fact that a substantial Serbian diaspora lived in Northwest Indiana, Ambassador Đurić and Congressman Mrvan also discussed possibilities of further economic and industrial cooperation and market penetration of Serbian companies in that region.

12 December 2022

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the USA Marko Đurić met with Congressman Joe Wilson, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, with whom he discussed current events on the world political scene and the common wish for an end to the war in Eastern Europe.

Đurić pointed out to Wilson the events in the area of Kosovo and Metohija and the destabilising moves of the Priština authorities, emphasising the facts that speak in favour of Belgrade's constructive approach as a credible interlocutor at the negotiating table.

Perceiving him as a sincere friend of Serbia who shows that Serbia and the USA share common values of peace, understanding and cooperation, Ambassador Đurić pointed out that Serbia greatly appreciated Congressman Wilson's devoted support for the start of the strategic dialogue between Serbia and the USA, as well as the Open Balkan initiative.

The Ambassador expressed special gratitude for the congressional letter that Congressman Wilson together with Congressman Eric Swalwell recently sent to President Joseph Biden proposing that the USA should host the Open Balkan Summit. Among the topics of discussion were the perspectives of further improvement of military cooperation between Serbia and the USA, as well as joint plans in the domain of expanding the activities and membership of the Serbian Congressional Caucus.

11 December 2022

At the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, a fashion show of folk costumes was held by Biljana Regan, founder of the "Association for the Preservation of Balkan Tradition and Culture".

The event gathered a large number of representatives of the diplomatic corps who were greeted by Ambassador Marko Đurić at the beginning of the event.

With this exhibition, Regan marked a decade of work and announced her book entitled "Once Upon a Time in Maryland". The entire collection she owns is her private property and consists of over a hundred authentic folk costumes, jewellery and other antiques from the 19th and 20th centuries. Representatives of the "Tesla Scientific Foundation" used this opportunity to present mini sculptures by sculptor Stan Watts dedicated to Nikola Tesla and the Halliard mission.