U.S. Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has again criticized Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, this time linking his government to the growing presence of Chinese technology in Europe.
Wilson made the comments following a meeting with Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova, during which he said they discussed energy security, the Russian threat and China’s growing presence in Europe.
“Grateful to meet the Foreign Minister of NATO Ally Bulgaria to discuss energy security, the Russian threat, and the deleterious yet increasing presence of the CCP and its anti-freedom technology brought into Europe by the Vucic regime,” Wilson wrote in a social media post on September 21.
Wilson has repeatedly criticized Vučić’s policies in recent weeks, particularly over Serbia’s relations with Russia and China and questions concerning democracy and governance in Serbia.
In August, Wilson joined Democratic Congressman William Keating in introducing the SRBIJA Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, formally titled the Supporting the Rule of Law, Building Institutional Justice, and Accountability Act, was introduced on August 27 and referred to the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees.
The proposed legislation addresses U.S. policy toward Serbia, including democratic governance, rule of law, media freedom, corruption and Serbia’s relations with Russia, China and Iran. It remains a legislative proposal and has not become U.S. law.
Wilson has also previously criticized Vučić over Serbia’s reported plans concerning the burial of former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladić, whom the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia convicted of genocide and other crimes.
The latest comments come as U.S. lawmakers continue to debate Washington’s approach to Serbia and its relations with both Western institutions and Russia and China.
