09.06.2017.
Strengthening defence cooperation with China
Defence Minister Zoran Đorđević has received today members of the high level delegation of the People's Liberation Army of China, which is paying a three-day visit to the Republic of Serbia, led by the Head of Logistics and Supply of the Central Military Commission, General Zhao Keshi.
Welcoming the delegation, Đorđević expressed belief that, after this visit, the relations of the decades-long friendship, respect and cooperation will become even stronger, richer and more meaningful. He said that talks between the top officials of the two countries in the previous period have given a strong impetus to further intensification of the overal bilateral and military cooperation.
"China is one of strategic partners of our country with whom we have excellent political and economic relations. We recognize the great potential for expanding cooperation in the field of defence and wish to build firm and long-term ties in all areas of common interest", the Minister of Defence said.
The head of the Chinese delegation, Lieutenant General Zhao Keshi, emphasized the importance of the traditional friendly relations between the two countries from which different forms of cooperation stemmed and stressed that China was clearly committed to strengthening military cooperation with Serbia.
Minister Đorđević and General Keshi agreed that in the forthcoming period the military cooperation is to be intensified through joint trainings and exercises, as well as the development of scientific and technological and military-economic cooperation.
The Defence Minister said that Serbia appreciated China's foreign policy based on "the principles of peaceful problem solving and respect for all factors in international relations, which was also evident in the country's support to the legitimate aims of Serbia to resolve the situation in Kosovo and Metohija in a peaceful way through the diplomatic efforts of our officials.
During the day, Defence Minister Zoran Đorđević met with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Li Manchang.
