U.S.-Serbia Strategic Dialogue would require democracy and corruption discussions

The Secretary of State would have to address required topics for the U.S.-Serbia Strategic Dialogue to continue. These rules would cover each round of the U.S.-Serbia Strategic Dialogue, a series of talks between the two countries. Topics would include Serbia’s ties with Russia, China, and Iran; fair elections; corruption and government purchasing; rule-of-law reform; and democratic freedoms. The Secretary would have to certify the planned topics to Congress and explain how officials would address them. Without certification, State Department staff could neither participate nor spend money on the talks. Certification would be due at least 10 days before each round. These requirements would end five years after enactment.

The Secretary of State would send Congress a strategy for relations with Serbia and a separate report on Russian and Chinese influence. The strategy would cover goals for U.S. relations and available support for independent media, civic groups, and court reform. The report would examine Russian and Chinese influence in Serbia and risks to U.S. interests. Both documents would be submitted to congressional committees in unclassified form, but they could include classified attachments containing secret information. The act would stop applying five years after enactment.

Additional U.S. aid to Serbia would be authorized after the President submits the required certification to Congress. The additional aid would go to Serbia. The President would have to certify significant and sustained progress on independent courts holding people accountable, media freedom, and foreign and security policy alignment with the European Union and NATO. This provision does not specify an aid amount or itself set aside money. The authorization would apply when the certification reaches Congress and would end five years after enactment.