15.04.2015.

Gasic and Shoigu discuss improvement of cooperation in the field of defence

Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia Bratislav Gasic met in Moscow with Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation Army General Sergei Shoigu.

Gasic and Shoigu concluded that the improvement of traditionally good relations between Serbia and Russia is further backed by the decision of Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic that a unit of the Serbian army should take part in the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9.

- This way, the Armed Forces of Serbia and the Republic of Serbia will give full contribution to marking of the historic victory over Fascism, the one for which many lost lives paid an incredibly high price – Minister Gasic said.

Gasic underscored that EU membership is one of Serbia's priorities, but he added this will not hinder the development of cooperation with all countries in the East and the West that are committed to improvement of relations based on mutual trust and respect. He added that Serbia's participation in the Partnership for Peace Program provides the optimum framework for cooperation with NATO in keeping with the proclaimed military-neutral stand.

The two ministers discussed the political and security situation and current challenges in the region and the rest of the world, including the crisis in Ukraine, primarily from the standpoint of the obligations of Serbia as the 2015 OSCE chair.

The officials concluded that the cooperation in the defence sector is improving every year, as supported by the 2015 Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan.

They have also agreed that the main area of future cooperation should be in the realization of planned activities o bilateral military cooperation, with emphasis on joint training and exercises, while conditions for intensified military technical and military medical cooperation should be created.