Discussion “140 years of diplomatic and trade relations between Serbia and the USA” held
On October 14th, 2021, the University of Belgrade Faculty of Law marked 140 years of diplomatic and trade relations of Serbia and the USA. Our special guests were Mr Branko Ružić, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia, and the Ambassador of the USA, H.E. Mr Anthony Godfrey. The discussion was opened by the Dean of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr Zoran Mirković, who together with the special guests talked about the importance and history of the partnership between Serbia and the USA. Afterwards, Prof. Dr Bojan Milisavljević, Ass. Prof. Dr Dušan Rakitić and Prof. Dr Marko Jovanović addressed the audience, and inbetween their lectures, fourth-year students of our Faculty and associates of the Ambassador H.E. Ljiljana Nikšić, Luka Milošević and Minja Mucić, read the fragments from the Treaty on Commercial Relations, the king’s introductory speech and the general discussion on this treaty and the Convention on Rights, Privileges, and Immunities of Consular Officers in the National Assembly of Serbia in 1882. Prof. Dr Milisavljević talked about the early stage of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, the signing of the Consular Convention, and how it shaped the existing relations between Serbia and the USA. Ass. Prof. Dr Rakitić focused on the Treaty on Commercial Relations of 1881 and compared it to similar treaties which the USA signed with other countries at that time, mentioning also “the most favoured nation clause” and the matter of capitulations. Finally, Prof. Dr Jovanović created “a bridge between the past and the present”, where he analysed the content of the Treaty on Commercial Relations at the time of its creation, but also its articles which were still in effect. He emphasised that there are numerous similarities between the Treaty then, and the General System of Preferences today, and mentioned that it would be quite interesting to see how the general picture will change in the next ten years, especially because Serbia is set to become a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
