12.03.2025.
Minister Gašić meets with Admiral Munsch
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić met with the Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Admiral Stuart Munsch, in Belgrade today.
At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Gašić emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue at all levels between Serbian and NATO officials for strengthening mutual trust and understanding, which will be greatly facilitated by mutual participation in joint activities. Today’s meeting, he said, is another opportunity to exchange opinions regarding the security situation in the region and the world, with special attention paid to the situation in the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Regarding the situation in the Autonomous Province and the region, Minister Gašić expressed particular concern about Albin Kurti’s unilateral moves against Serbia and the Serbian community, as well as about certain NATO member states’ bilateral participation in the process of arming, capacity and capability building and transforming the so-called Kosovo Security Force into the so-called Armed Forces of Kosovo, contrary to the UN Security Council Resolution 1244. In this regard, he said, Serbia's response as a reliable and predictable partner will always be a transparent, carefully thought-out and wise policy of dialogue and peace. He also conveyed our side's concerns about the failure to adopt the formal Serbia-NATO cooperation framework documents. The Minister of Defence also stated that our side “cherishes traditional partnerships and friendships with countries in the region”, and that “the dawn of a new era of partnership and, primarily, friendship between Serbia and the United States is in sight”.
Admiral Munsch praised the long-term partnership between NATO and Serbia, emphasizing NATO’s full respect for Serbia's neutrality policy. According to him, practical cooperation under the Partnership for Peace Programme has yielded significant results so far, and this visit is a confirmation of the continuous dialogue between NATO and Serbia. The Western Balkans is a region of strategic importance for NATO, Admiral Munsch said, reaffirming NATO's strong commitment to stability in the region. He stressed that KFOR remains fully committed to carrying out its UNSCR 1244 mandate to provide a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement.Admiral Munsch underscored the importance of maintaining direct and transparent communication channels between NATO, KFOR and Serbian state authorities, of which the one between Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff Gen. Milan Mojsilović, KFOR Commander Major General Enrico Barduani and himself is especially important.
Minister Gašić concluded that Serbia remains a devoted and credible partner, committed to maintaining the current level of cooperation and strengthening relations with NATO in areas of mutual interest under the auspices of PfP programme as an optimum framework for achieving security goals and enhancing own defence capabilities. Cooperation with the Allied Joint Force Command Naples, he stressed, is an important link in the relationship with NATO, especially considering the good cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR.
PHOTOGALLERY
VIDEOGALLERY12.03.2025
mp4 (57,34 MB)The meeting
