15.05.2017.
Confirmation of good cooperation continuity
The Bilateral Military Cooperation Programme between the Serbian and Austrian Ministries of Defence was signed today in Belgrade by the Head of the International Military Cooperation Department Navy Captain Milan Konjikovac and the Austrian Defence Attaché in Belgrade Colonel Thomas Ahammer.
Analyzing the defence cooperation in the previous period it was concluded that the collaboration was intensive and comprehensive. The interlocutors agreed that having in mind that both countries are members of the Partnership for Peace Programme and military neutral, there are many fields of cooperation in which the exchange of experience and joint training can be mutually beneficial.
Navy Captain Konjikovac thanked for the support to the EU integration of Serbia and professional engagement of members of the Austrian Armed Forces within KFOR. The upcoming high-level meetings confirm the importance of cooperation and they will give a significant impulse to further enhancement, and the planned expert and working group meetings will contribute to further deepening and concentration of collaboration. He talked about the interest for greater enhancement of collaboration in the field of CBRN, logistics, military-economic cooperation with a consideration of possibilities for joint participation in regional projects.Colonel Ahammer emphasized that Serbia was recognized as the key partner in maintaining regional stability and security. He stressed the significance of cooperation and exchange of information, especially in response to the current migrant crisis and the necessity of continuation of joint collaboration within the Central European Defence Programme. Austria supports further development of defence cooperation with Serbia, and the quantity and quality of the arranged activities is a sufficient indicator of tradition and joint commitment to continuation and further development of bilateral military cooperation, especially in the field of military education and military medicine.
