25.01.2016.

Minister of Defence received the outgoing US Ambassador

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic received today the outgoing US Ambassador in Belgrade Michael Kirby in his farewell visit.

Minister Gasic thanked Ambassador Kirby for the support he had provided during his term in the development of military cooperation between the two countries. Bilateral military cooperation between Serbia and the United States is still at a very high level despite budgetary restrictions, and military-military cooperation is the most developed part of the relations between the two countries. They emphasized in particular the results achieved in the scope of the reform of the defence system, development project for the base "South", equipping and modernization of the Serbian Armed Forces, as well as joint training. They also highlighted the importance of education and training of members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces in cooperation with the United States.

The interlocutors noted that a number of upcoming activities and projects speak in favour of development of cooperation in the field of defence, such as projects related to the deployment of members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces in multinational operations and in the field of military medical cooperation.

Gasic and Kirby agreed that Serbia has achieved significant results in the process of European integrations, and that the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces have demonstrated a high level of preparedness for the realization of part of obligations in this process.

Minister Gasic thanked Ambassador Kirby for his contribution to development of relations between Serbia and the United States, particularly emphasizing the personal efforts of the Ambassador in the rehabilitation of flooded areas in 2014. On behalf of members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, he wished Ambassador Kirby much success in the future.