A historic chance to rebuild good relations with America: Ambassador Scott has said - It's time to devote to friendship and cooperation

US Ambassador to Belgrade Kyle Scott believes that marking 100 years since the Serbian flag was raised above the White House is an opportunity to remind us of the strong historical and cultural ties that closely connect Serbia and the United States and that it is important for us to dedicate to friendship and cooperation.

A 100 years of the Alliance between Serbia and USA: Ana Brnabic at a ceremony with representatives of the Senate and the State Department

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Scott, in an interview with Radio Belgrade, said that US President Woodrow Wilson ordered the installation of the Serbian flag due to his close friendship with Mihajlo Pupin.

- Wilson understood what the Serbian people suffered during the First World War and wanted to pay tribute to Serb victims. I want to emphasize that this type of symbolic honoring has occurred only twice in the history of the United States, in fact, the raising of the Serbian flag was the first time in American history that the president decided to show respect for another nation in this way - said Scott.

He pointed out that Wilson was not lonely in his support to Serbia, and that in the campaigns throughout the United States, the American people collected huge financial support and thousands of tons of humanitarian aid - money for food, agricultural machinery and seeds, medicines, transport assistance and food for refugees, RTS reported.

Foto: Tanjug/Rade Prelić

- Americans of Serbian origin also fought alongside the people of Serbia. American doctors and nurses arrived to treat sick and wounded - said the US ambassador.

He emphasized that the First World War was not an exception and that our nations had to fight side by side against fascism in the Second World War.

- America later provided food and aid to Yugoslavia in the period when Moscow imposed sanctions - Scott said.

He also emphasizes that the USA continues to support Serbia in its efforts to implement the necessary reforms and EU accession.

Foto: Tanjug/AP

- In this new century, the US government has provided more than a billion dollars of assistance throughout the country, while my country's private charities continue to support your health care system and those in need. Our economies are becoming more and more integrated, and American companies in Serbia employ 20,000 Serbian citizens - said the US ambassador.

Today, as well as 100 years ago, the wealth of US-Serbia relations has been strengthened by strong human relations between our countries, Scott believes.

- Pupin and Tesla made enormous contributions, not only for Serbia and the United States but for the whole of humanity. They are not the only ones, the Serbs have enriched the lives of Americans and other cultures in virtually every field - scientists, inventors, engineers, academics, artists of all sorts, athletes - Scott pointed out.

He added that the list of famous Serbs in the history of the United States and the world is long and impressive.

- So, I see this centennial as an opportunity to remind us of the strong historical and cultural ties that closely connect Serbia and the United States and that it is important for us to dedicate to friendship and cooperation. Živela Srbija (long live Serbia) - said the US ambassador.

Video: Kyle Scott about Kosovo

(Telegraf.co.uk / Telegraf)