22.11.2016.
Enlargement Policy is investment in European Security and Stability
Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic met with Angelina Eichhorst, European External Action Service Director for Western Europe, Western Balkans and Turkey.On that occasion, they discussed the Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and Security Policy entitled "Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe", which was released in June 2016.
Minister Djordjevic pointed out that this document is a significant achievement of the Member States and the European institutions regarding the positioning of the EU about collective defence. From the standpoint of the Republic of Serbia, whose foreign policy priority is to become a member of the EU, one of the key messages of the Global Strategy is that "the enlargement policy is a strategic investment in the European Security and Development". The Defence Minister expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the Global Strategy confirmed the EU's determination to promote political reform, rule of law, economic stability and good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans and in Turkey.
Djordjevic pointed out that the Ministry of Defence actively participates in 20 (out of 35) negotiating groups for negotiations on Serbia's accession to the European Union. The negotiation chapter that is mostly related to the competence of this Ministry is Chapter 31 - Common Foreign, Security and Defence Policy. In accordance with the continuous intention to improve the military capabilities of the EU, during December this year, the Ministry of Defence will begin participation in the EU training mission in the Central African Republic with the EUTM RCA medical team. By inclusion of the Serbian Armed Forces in activities related to EU battle groups, Serbia expressed its commitment in the future to fully assume the obligations of a full member and a reliable partner in promoting the EU security and defence. For this reason, on 8 November 2016, the Chief of General Staff signed the Note on the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the HELBROC Battlegroup led by the Hellenic Republic.
