Opening discussion with US and EU ambassadors

Christopher R. Hill arrived in Belgrade on March 31, 2022. He previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Korea, Poland, and North Macedonia, as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and as Head of the U.S. delegation to the 6 Party Talks on North Korea. Earlier in his diplomatic career, Hill was the special envoy for the Kosovo crisis and prior to that was a member of the U.S. negotiating team whose efforts led to the Dayton Peace Agreement, ending the Bosnian war.

Following his retirement from the Foreign Service in 2010, Hill was Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, and then Chief Advisor to the Chancellor for Global Engagement and Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy, at the University of Denver. In 2021, Hill was named the George Ball Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. In October 2021, he was called upon to return to diplomatic service when President Biden nominated him to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia.

Hill earned a B.A. at Bowdoin College and an M.S. at the Naval War College. The recipient of numerous honors, including the Robert S. Frasure Award for Peace Negotiations and the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Award. Hill speaks Serbian, Polish, Macedonian and French. He is joined in Belgrade by his wife, Julie.

Emanuele Giaufret has been appointed to the position in September 2021.

He took this position after serving four years as the EU Ambassador to Israel.

Previously, he served at EEAS as the Head of the Division for Democracy and Electoral Observation and as Political Assistant to the Managing Director responsible for North Africa and the Middle East. He was also posted at the EU Delegation to the UN in New York, and again at the EU Delegation in Israel, as Head of the Political and Trade Section.

Tamara Stankov, an experienced journalist and media professional, possesses a diverse skill set that encompasses video production expertise, adeptness in media relations, and an exceptional ability for public speaking.

Over the past three years, Tamara has held the pivotal position of Editor-in-Chief at the Media and Reform Centre Nis, a renowned media development hub in Southern Serbia. In this key role, she has not only showcased outstanding leadership but has also been the driving force behind a dynamic team dedicated to crafting top-tier content and leading transformative initiatives within the media landscape. Her remarkable contributions have played an instrumental role in nurturing robust relationships within the media industry, solidifying her reputation as a linchpin of the organization’s mission. Furthermore, her extensive experience features a wealth of high-profile interviews with influential public figures, underscoring her ability to engage with prominent personalities.

Tamara Stankov’s wealth of experience and expertise make her an invaluable asset, notably for events like the Digitalk conference.