19.07.2017.
Neutrality is a long-term orientation
Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin spoke today with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO Allied Command Operations, General Curtis Scaparrotti. At the meeting, they spoke about strengthening of mutual trust and understanding established in the previous period.
- We are aware of the importance of your command, considering its duties and the area of responsibility that practically encompasses the whole world, and we believe that maintaining regular contacts at the highest level, such as today's meeting with President Vučić, is essential in terms of building peace and stability in the region.
Our long-term strategic orientation is to keep the status of a militarily neutral country, but we are willing to cooperate with all relevant actors in the field of international relations and security, Vulin said, adding that NATO is successfully implementing it within the available Partnership for Peace mechanisms.
In addition to the cooperation under the Partnership for Peace programme, participants in the meeting also discussed about the direct cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR, which is at an excellent level, as confirmed through regular meetings of the Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR Commander and a large number of joint activities. Vulin thanked for the role that the Alliance in the KFOR contingent and emphasized that it was the only institution that we consider responsible for maintaining peace and security in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija.
-There is no army in Kosovo and Metohija except KFOR. This responsibility cannot be transferred to any other institution or organization, and we expect that the Alliance also takes the position that the change of the mandate and transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces into the so-called Armed forces is unacceptable.
Serbia attaches special importance to the regional cooperation and, as a stability factor, it supports regional security initiatives and fully respects the Euro-Atlantic and European commitments of its neighbours, so we expect the same attitude to our decisions. At the same time, the Minister of Defence said, we remain committed to seeking a common response to the contemporary security challenges, risks and threats in the form of religious extremism, organized crime, foreign fighters and terrorism.
Earlier that day, Minister Vulin also met with General Curtis Scaparrotti in the delegation of the President of the Republic.
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VIDEOGALLERY19.07.2017
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