24.10.2017.

Friendship that lasts

Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin met today in Rome with the Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti, after a formal welcome with the highest state and military honours. Ministers Vulin and Pinotti discussed ways to improve bilateral military cooperation between the two countries and the current political and security situation in the region.

Ministers Vulin and Pinotti emphasized the importance of the overall friendly and partnership relations between Serbia and Italy, which contribute to the continued development of defence cooperation. Regular meetings at the ministerial level, as well as the meetings of CHODs of the two countries, also influence the strengthening of mutual understanding and trust, the ministers agreed.

- Italy and Serbia are really friendly countries and the cooperation of our armies must follow the political relationship we have. Italy is a big investor in Serbia and we talked about how the defence industry follows such trends, that is, how to raise the level of mutual exchange and cooperation by bringing Beretta and other investors. We agreed that we will have a number of joint activities next year and I stressed that Serbia remains consistent in its policy of military neutrality. This means that we will not enter any of the military alliances, but we certainly have a great interest to cooperate bilaterally with Italy, as well as with other friendly countries from which we can learn something, Minister Vulin said after the meeting.

He pointed out that Italy and Serbia have a common problem, just like the whole of Europe, with illegal immigration.

- We agreed on concrete ways to help each other - from the exchange of intelligence, to the control of the situation on the ground, but also of what is happening beyond the borders of our countries, both being affected by them, the Serbian Minister of Defence explained and added that Italy and Serbia remain committed to the policies of mutual respect and cooperation between the two armies.

- That is how we will behave in the future, and next year I expect my colleague to visit Serbia, the minister said.

He particularly emphasized the professional engagement of members of the Italian Armed Forces in the KFOR mission in Kosovo and Metohija.
- Today I will give commemorative medals to the former commanders of the Italian KFOR, to people who indebted us with their behaviour, attitude towards the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, people who are able to be soldiers, but also to love the people they are guarding and this is us, Minister Vulin said and added that Serbia expects that Italian soldiers will remain in the southern Serbian province as long as the security situation demands it.

Minister Pinotti confirmed Italy's commitment to improving defence cooperation with Serbia, especially when it comes to joint participation in multinational operations, military-to-military, military-medical and military-economic cooperation. "In addition to the large number of bilateral activities in various areas being implemented on an annual basis, the cooperation crown is joint participation in multinational operations, especially joint engagement in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon", the Italian Minister of Defence said and expressed her respect for Serb soldiers participating in those operations. Minister Pinotti emphasized that Italy supports Serbia's European path "because Serbia's EU membership is a guarantee of security for the entire region, but also for Europe".

Earlier that day, the Defence Minister and his associates visited Leonardo company to see opportunities for cooperation with the Serbian defence industry.