11.07.2016.

Developed and multilayered defence cooperation with the USA

Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic and Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic met today with Michael Carpenter, US deputy assistant secretary of defence for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia who is paying a short visit to the Republic of Serbia within the delegation of Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at the United States Department of State.

During the meeting, Minister of Defence Zoran Djordjevic stressed the positive results of the participation of the delegation of the Ministry of Defence at the NATO Summit in Warsaw, and that on that occasion he had a series of bilateral meetings with defence ministers of member states of the Alliance and the Partnership for Peace programme.

Minister Djordjevic expressed his satisfaction with the current level of implementation of the conclusions adopted at the recent bilateral defence consultations between the Republic of Serbia and the United States. He conveyed his belief that the agreed new areas of cooperation, based on the principles of the military neutrality policy of Serbia, will be of mutual interest, while ensuring the improvement of the operational and functional capabilities of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.

- I would particularly stress the importance of the successful cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces and the Ohio National Guard as part of the State Partnership Programme, which almost celebrated the tenth anniversary, Djordjevic said.

Mr Carpenter agreed with the assessments of Minister Djordjevic and stressed that the bilateral military cooperation between the two

countries is very developed and multilayered, particularly emphasizing joint activities with the Ohio National Guard and future joint military medical engagement.

The United States of America perceives the Republic of Serbia as a very important partner and factor of stability and security in the Western Balkans region, which is largely supported by the activities of bilateral military cooperation and their extension to new areas, with the involvement of other countries in the region.

The previous joint exercise activities, security of humanitarian assistance programmes, development of South base facilities and Engineering Company for participation in the UN peacekeeping operations, as well as the development of the Balkan Medical Task Force in which the Republic of Serbia is the lead nation, are just some examples of very fruitful cooperation that the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces have in the framework of bilateral military cooperation with the United States.