14.07.2017.
Serbia Insists on the Establishment of the Association of Serbian Municipalities
Minister of Defence, Aleksandar Vulin met with the Ambassador of FR Germany, Axel Dittmann.
During the discussion it was confirmed that the political relations between the two countries are at historical peak, which is the result of continuous high level meetings and personal friendship between President Vučić and Chancellor Merkel, which all together resulted in the enhancement of economic cooperation to mutual interest.
-At the same time – Minister Vulin said – the cooperation of Serbia and Germany makes an active contribution to accelerated accession of Serbia to the European Union and we extremely appreciate the support and understanding that Germany provides on that road – the Minister of Defence stressed, while German Ambassador pointed out that Germany is a close and reliable partner of Serbia on its road to the European Union, and that the chapters 23 and 24 refer to the rule of law and that those reforms are not linked to the chapter 35.
Vulin underlined that the chapter 35 was not a replacement for the Brussels dialogue, and that Serbia insisted on immediate implementation of the arrangements from the Brussels Agreement, particularly on the establishment of the Association of Serbian Municipalities, which was expected from the one establishing the Government in Kosovo and Metohija.
The Minister of Defence stated that Serbia strived in a peaceful manner to provide a normal life to Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija, where it was solely KFOR that he recognised as a partner and stability factor.
During the meeting, it was stated that the cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence follows the level of the overall bilateral relations, and Vulin underscored that we were equally satisfied with the achieved level of cooperation with NATO through the Partnership for Peace Programme, and with our observer status in the CSTO.
The Ministry of Defence will continue pursuing the balanced defence policy in line with the proclaimed military neutrality, and it will in keeping with defined national interests work on the enhancement and further development of relations with all states and international organisations.
-Hence – Vulin stated- the defence cooperation with the countries of the region is at a high level and it is often an initiator of the enhancement of the overall relations, having in mind that Serbia is aware that it is solely through dialogue and cooperation, as well as the integration of the Western Balkan countries in the EU that we can establish a long-term stability in the region.
The subject covered during the meeting was the contribution that Serbia provides to global stability through participation in multinational operations of the UN and EU, so Vulin reconfirmed that the continuity of this engagement would be continued.
The Minister of Defence informed Ambassador Dittmann about the strong support that Joint Military and Police Forces provide in mitigating the effects of the migrant crisis, stressing that since the beginning of their engagement more than 21,300 illegal crossings of migrants had been prevented.
