Serbian, U.S. officials say to continue with partner approach

Visiting assistant U.S. Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs Victoria Nuland met with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic here on Monday, they talked about regional stability and economic relations of Serbia and the United States.

A joint press conference was held after the meeting, Nuland said that Obama's administration is grateful for Serbia's decision to help with relocation of former prisoners from Guantanamo and thus "join dozens of European countries who help in shutting down that detention facility."

U.S. state department confirmed in a press release on Monday that two prisoners of the U.S. military prison in the Guantanamo bay will be transferred to Serbia, and expressed gratitude for the "generous assistance of Serbia as the United States continues its efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility."

According to U.S. state department, the two prisoners are Mansur Ahmad Saad al-Dayfi from Yemen and Muhammadi Davlatov from Tajikistan who represent no further threat to the national security of the United States.

"Each detainee was unanimously approved for transfer by six U.S. government departments and agencies. Serbia joins 30 other countries which, since 2009, have extended resettlement opportunities to over 100 detainees," U.S. state department release reads.

After the meeting Nuland also said that the United States are proud to have Serbia as a partner, that they have understanding for Serbia's traditional partnership with Russia and that they will support Serbia on its EU path.

Vucic said that the decision to receive two former prisoners shows that Serbia acts as a partner towards the United States.

"We will continue with our partner approach. This brings good reputation to our country and it is a good signal for some future action (between Serbia and the United States)," Vucic said.

（APD）