25.02.2016.

Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff visits Serbia

Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic has met today with the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis in the House of Guards in Topcider.

Speaking about the today's meeting, General Dikovic pointed out that when speaking about the relations between Serbia and Greece, keywords are respect and friendship, and they are specifically related to the military-to-military cooperation.

- If we look a few years back, then I am pleased to say that in the framework of bilateral military cooperation with the armed forces of the Hellenic Republic we had 12 to 14 activities per year, and that all these activities were well implemented. Through that cooperation we jointly strengthened our capacities, exchanged opinions and experiences on important issues, educated and perfected cadre at our military schools, conducted joint training and exercises – General Dikovic said adding that the two countries still share the common task that burdens the entire region, which is the migrant crisis.

The Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff also expressed his gratitude to the Hellenic Republic for the principled policy of non-recognition of the independence of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as great professionalism of the Hellenic Armed Forces in KFOR, which is not only a bridge of cooperation with the Hellenic Armed Forces, but also the bridge of cooperation and partnership relations with KFOR in Kosovo and Metohija.

General Dikovic pointed out that Serbia intends to join the European Union battle group Helbrok, led by the Hellenic Republic, adding that this year already the officers of the Serbian Armed Forces are going to participate in exercise activities of this battle group.

Talking about the future cooperation, General Dikovic pointed out that it is primarily reflected in the education and training of personnel, the continuation of joint exercises and training of the members of our armed forces, as well as the allocation of capacities for training and development.

According to Admiral Apostolakis, Serbia and Greece have been co-operating for many years, and during the today's talks, he said, they discussed all aspects of cooperation so far between the two armed forces.