Ex-defense minister expects to become ambassador to U.S.

Ex-defense minister expects to become ambassador to U.S.

BELGRADE -- Former Defense Minister Nebojša Rodić said on Wednesday he expected to be appointed as Serbia's new ambassador to the United States.

Commenting on his plans for the future after handing over his duties to new Defense Minister Bratislav Gašić, he stated he acquired the title of ambassador 15 years ago and that he would be returning to the Foreign Ministry.

"I expect the things the prime minister talked about to happen, that is for the procedure to appoint a new ambassador to the U.S. to begin and for me to receive that duty," he noted, according to Tanjug.

Asked to comment on the fact "the media already announced who would be ambassador to the U.S.," Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić said late on Wednesday that "nobody will become an ambassador until they receive agreement of the prime minister and the government."

He also noted that it was "not usual to mention names" until the person in question also received agreement from the country they would be sent to.

Serbia has struggled for several months to fill ambassadorial posts in key countries, such as the U.S., Germany, and China.